Chess Openings Lab
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Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation

The Kennedy Variation of the Nimzowitsch Defense is 1.e4 Nc6 2.d4 e5, where Black hits d4 with the e-pawn at once. White chooses between d5, dxe5 and Nf3, while Black aims for active pieces and quick development.

Moves
1.e4 Nc6 2.d4 e5
ECO
B00
Engine
+0.63 · a slight edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
12,903 games in our lichess sample
White scores
51.8%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Play 3.d5 to gain space and kick the c6 knight, as in the top engine line, closing the center.
  • Take with 3.dxe5 and meet ...Nxe5 with Nc3 and f4 to chase the centralized knight with gain of time.
  • After 3.d5 Nce7, use h4 and Qd3, as the engine suggests, then c4 to grab more space.
  • Develop with 3.Nf3 if you want a calmer game; after ...exd4 Nxd4 you get an open center.

Black

  • After 3.d5, retreat with ...Nce7 and play ...Nf6 and ...d6 to support the e5 pawn.
  • After 3.dxe5, take with ...Nxe5 and develop with ...Bc5 quickly to aim at f2.
  • Against 3.Nf3, take with ...exd4 and develop ...Nf6 to hit the e4 pawn at once.
  • Do not leave the knight on c6 where a quick d5 can win time against it for free.

Plans and pawn structure

Black challenges d4 immediately. After 3.d5, the center locks with pawns on d5 and e4 against e5 and later d6, and White plays for space with c4 and Nc3 while Black reroutes the knight and prepares ...f5. After 3.dxe5, the position opens and the knight on e5 becomes a target for f4 and Nf3. White aims for a lasting space edge, Black for quick development and active pieces.

Where the engine's main line heads: Locked center: d5–e4 against d6–e5. A locked center: White's d5 and e4 against Black's d6 and e5. The game moves to the wings, where each side attacks where its pawns point.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.63: a slight edge for White. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +0.63 3.d5 Nce7 4.h4 Nf6 5.Qd3 d6
  2. +0.60 3.dxe5 Nxe5 4.Nc3 Bc5 5.f4 Nc6
  3. +0.17 3.Nf3 exd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nxc6 bxc6

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

12,903 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 51.8%.

under 120054.6%
1200–159955.0%
1600–199948.6%
2000 and up47.8%

Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.

Where it goes next

How to play against it

White, choose 3.d5 for space or 3.dxe5 for open play, and keep gaining time on Black's knights. Black, keep the knights active and be ready with ...f5 in the closed lines or ...Bc5 in the open ones. Do not lose time with aimless knight moves.

Questions

What are the moves of the Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation?

The Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation starts 1.e4 Nc6 2.d4 e5. Its ECO code is B00.

Is the Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.63 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for White. In 12,903 lichess games from our sample, White scored 51.8%. A lively choice for Black players who like quick piece play, but White can claim space and a small edge.

What is the main idea of the Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation?

Black hits d4 with ...e5 right away. White either gains space with d5 and a locked center or opens the game with dxe5, and Black aims for quick, active development.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is d5, with dxe5 and Nf3 close behind. 3.d5 kicks the c6 knight and gains space, locking the center in White's favor.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.