Nimzowitsch Defense (B00)

43 named lines in this family, ECO B00. Every one of them opens 1. e4 Nc6, so the notes on those moves are written once, just below, instead of once per line. Under each line you get its moves and the sentences it adds that this page has not already printed. A line's own page carries up to its first 4 per-move notes in full.

Main line, through 1... Nc6B00

1. e4 Nc6

In the centre, White holds e4.

Declined VariationB00

1. e4 Nc6 2. Nf3

2. Nf3 Develops the knight to f3, eyeing d4 and e5. Theory calls this the Declined Variation.

Main line, after 2. d4B00

1. e4 Nc6 2. d4

In the centre, White holds d4 and e4.

2. d4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling e5, and frees the bishop and queen.

Pseudo-Spanish VariationB00

1. e4 Nc6 2. Bb5

2. Bb5 Develops the bishop with tempo - it attacks the knight on c6. Theory calls this the Pseudo-Spanish Variation.

Wheeler GambitB00

1. e4 Nc6 2. b4

2. b4 Opens the c1-a3 diagonal for the bishop. The pawn is genuinely on offer - this is the Wheeler Gambit: development and initiative over material.

Colorado CountergambitB00

1. e4 Nc6 2. Nf3 f5

2... f5 Challenges the pawn on e4 - the central tension has to resolve. The pawn is genuinely on offer - this is the Colorado Countergambit: development and initiative over material.

Franco-Nimzowitsch VariationB00

1. e4 Nc6 2. Nf3 e6

2... e6 Supports the centre, adding control of d5. Theory calls this the Franco-Nimzowitsch Variation.

French ConnectionB00

1. e4 Nc6 2. Nc3 e6

2. Nc3 Develops the knight to c3, eyeing d5 and e4. It also props up the e4 pawn.
2... e6 Theory calls this the French Connection.

Kennedy VariationB00

1. e4 Nc6 2. d4 e5

In the centre, White holds d4 and e4 while Black holds e5.

2... e5 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling d4, and frees the bishop and queen. Theory calls this the Kennedy Variation.

Mikenas VariationB00

1. e4 Nc6 2. d4 d6

2... d6 Supports the centre, adding control of e5. Theory calls this the Mikenas Variation.

Neo-Mongoloid DefenseB00

1. e4 Nc6 2. d4 f6

2... f6 Fights for e5 from the flank - contesting the centre without committing a centre pawn. Theory calls this the Neo-Mongoloid Defense.

Pirc ConnectionB00

1. e4 Nc6 2. Nc3 g6

2... g6 Prepares the fianchetto: the bishop will take the long diagonal via g7. Theory calls this the Pirc Connection.

Scandinavian VariationB00

1. e4 Nc6 2. d4 d5

In the centre, White holds d4 and e4 while Black holds d5.

2... d5 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling e4, and frees the bishop and queen. Theory calls this the Scandinavian Variation.

Williams VariationB00

1. e4 Nc6 2. Nf3 d6

2... d6 Theory calls this the Williams Variation.

Woodchuck VariationB00

1. e4 Nc6 2. d4 a6

2... a6 Takes b5 away from White's bishop. Theory calls this the Woodchuck Variation.

Colorado Countergambit AcceptedB00

1. e4 Nc6 2. Nf3 f5 3. exf5

An early pawn trade leaves the e-file as White's avenue and the f-file as Black's - both sides get real winning chances down their own file. White is up material out of the opening - Black is banking on activity to show for it.