ECO code: B00
Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation
Moves: 1. e4 Nc6 2. d4 e5
This variation arises when Black responds to White's central pawn advance with an immediate challenge by playing ...e5. The characteristic of this move is its direct counterattack in the center, aiming to undermine White's pawn duo on e4 and d4 quickly.
From Black's perspective, this is an attacking approach, seeking active piece play and central tension early in the game. White, having established a strong pawn center, generally plays more positional and controlling moves but must be ready to respond to Black’s central counterthrust.
Both sides are actively contesting the center: White occupies it with pawns on e4 and d4, while Black attacks it immediately with ...e5, making the center the main battleground right from the opening moves.
This opening is defined by the position shown on the board below. The moves displayed are a typical sequence that leads to it, but different sequences can reach the same position and still carry the same opening name.
Practice puzzles and train your tactics with real positions from games that used the Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, and sharpen your opening mastery.
Puzzle 1 of 67 - Move #5 black