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We will learn how to play the main line 2.d4 of the Nimzovich Defense chess opening on this page of chess-openings-for-beginners.blogspot.com. The Nimzovich Defense starts with 1.e4 Nc6, and the best 2 moves to respond the Nimzovich are 2.d4 and 2.Nf3 (chess engine evaluates that the main line 2.d4 is stronger than 2.Nf3). So, the main line of the Nimzovich runs as 1.e4 Nc6 2.d4.
I. Nimzovich Defense Main Line 2.d4
The Nimzovich Defense main line 2.d4 is officially named as B00 Nimzovich Defense, 2.d4 variation. It is a popular variation and the main line of the Nimzovich Defense chess opening (its popularity is appr. 35-40% of all Nimzovich Defense games at master level). The Nimzovich Defense, 2.d4 variation (the main line of the Nimzovich Defense) is presented in the next figure:
Moves: 1.e4 Nc6 2.d4
Nimzovich Defense, 2.d4 Variation
The Main Line of the Nimzovich Defense
ECO Code: B00
• 8 Variations of the Nimzovich Defense
Learn to how play this variation in Chapter II below: see proven lines of the Nimzovich games played by chess masters and evaluated by chess engine: + White; - Black; 0-0.50 equal; 0.51-1.00 slightly better; 1.01-1.50 better; 1.51 much better. Examples: +1.27 (White is better as if he won 1.27 pawns by material). -0.62 (Black is slightly better as if he won 0.62 pawns). +0.42 (equal).
II. How to Play the Nimzovich Defense, 2.d4 Variation
1.e4 Nc6 2.d4
Chess masters play: 2... d5 (55%), e5 (30%), d6, e6 (both 10%)
See below 4 best moves by evaluation of chess engine (depth 25):
2... d5 (+0.01), e5 (+0.20), e6 (+0.25), d6 (+0.45)
Masters use the following proven lines (best moves of white and black).
• Main Lines via 2... d4 (55%) and e5 (30%)
Nimzovich Defense, 2.d4 Variation (the Main Line)
2... d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.d5 Nb8 5.Bc4 Nf6 6.Bf4 a6 (+0.27)
2... d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4? Qxd4 5.Qxd4 Nxd4 6.Bd3 Bf5 (-0.68)
2... d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.c3 e6 5.Bd3 Nge7 6.Ne2 Qd7 (+0.20)
2... d5 3.e5 f6 4.f4 Bf5 5.Nf3 e6 6.Bd3 Bxd3 (+0.43)
2... e5 3.d5 Nce7 4.Nf3 Ng6 5.h4 h5 6.Bg5 Nf6 (+0.52)
2... e5 3.Nf3 exd4 4.Nxd4 Bc5 5.Be3 Qf6 6.c3 Nge7 (+0.30)
• Other Lines via 2... d6, e5 (total 10%)
Nimzovich Defense, 2.d4 Variation (the Main Line)
2... d6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 Bg4 5.Be3 e6 (+0.89)
2... d6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Nf3 Bg4 5.Be3 e6 (+0.89)
2... e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.e5 f6 5.Bb5 Bd7 (+0.78)
• To the Main Page of the Nimzovich Defense | Lesson 45
On this page of chess-openings-for-beginners.blogspot.com we have learned the Nimzovich Defense, 2.d4 variation, B00, which is also called the main line of the Nimzovich Defense with the 1.e4 Nc6 2.d4. You could see above the proven lines which are usually played by chess masters as the best moves for white and black with evaluation of chess engine (evaluation depth 25).
