Chess Openings Lab
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Nimzowitsch Defense: Williams Variation

The Williams Variation of the Nimzowitsch Defense is 1.e4 Nc6 2.Nf3 d6, where Black keeps the e-pawn back and prepares ...e5 or ...Nf6. White takes the center with d4 and gains space, while Black looks for ...e5 and active pieces.

Moves
1.e4 Nc6 2.Nf3 d6
ECO
B00
Engine
+0.58 · a slight edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
2,268 games in our lichess sample
White scores
50.6%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Play 3.d4 and answer ...Nf6 with d5, as in the top engine line, to kick the c6 knight.
  • After ...Ne5 Nxe5 dxe5, use Bb5+ to trade light-squared bishops and keep a space edge.
  • Develop with Nc3 or c3 for a solid center and meet ...e5 with Bb5 against the c6 knight.
  • After ...exd4, recapture with the knight on d4 and keep the extra central space.

Black

  • Play ...Nf6 to hit e4 and force White to decide about the center right away.
  • After d5, use ...Ne5 to trade knights on e5 and ease your position.
  • Play ...e5 to fight for the center in the Nc3 and c3 lines, reaching a Philidor-like game.
  • Use ...Bd7 to block the check or pin when White plays Bb5 against your king or knight.

Plans and pawn structure

Black's ...d6 is flexible but passive. White takes the center with d4 and often pushes d5 to gain time on the c6 knight. Black then trades knights with ...Ne5 and gets a solid but slightly cramped position, and White uses Bb5+ to trade bishops. If White plays Nc3 or c3 instead, Black answers with ...e5, and after ...exd4 Nxd4 the game looks like a Philidor with active White pieces.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.58: a slight edge for White. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +0.58 3.d4 Nf6 4.d5 Ne5 5.Nxe5 dxe5
  2. +0.53 3.Nc3 e5 4.d4 exd4 5.Nxd4 Nf6
  3. +0.52 3.c3 Nf6 4.d4 e5 5.Bb5 a6

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

2,268 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 50.6%.

under 120057.4%
1200–159949.9%
1600–199948.2%
2000 and up50.7%

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

How to play against it

White, take the center with 3.d4 and answer ...Nf6 with d5 to gain time. Black, play ...Nf6 and trade knights with ...Ne5 if White pushes d5, then complete development with ...e6 or ...g6. Avoid ...e5 before you have a plan for the d4 and d5 squares.

Questions

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

The Nimzowitsch Defense: Williams Variation starts 1.e4 Nc6 2.Nf3 d6. Its ECO code is B00.

Is the Nimzowitsch Defense: Williams Variation good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.58 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for White. In 2,268 lichess games from our sample, White scored 50.6%. A solid but passive choice for Black, and White gets a space edge with natural moves.

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

Black plays ...d6 and aims for ...e5 or ...Nf6. White takes the center with d4 and often pushes d5 to kick the knight and gain space.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is d4, with Nc3 and c3 close behind. 3.d4 takes the center and prepares d5 against the c6 knight.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.