Sicilian Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation

Main line

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.e5 Nd5 4.Nc3 e6 5.Nxd5 exd5 6.d4 Nc6 7.dxc5 Bxc5

Diagram shows the position after 6 half-moves of the main line. On SpeakChess you can drill this line move by move — the trainer plays the other side and corrects you instantly, then spaced repetition schedules each variation so you review it right before you would forget it.

Move by move

The first 12 moves of the main line, explained one at a time. Every move of every variation is annotated like this inside the trainer — this page shows the opening moves so you can judge the explanations before signing up.

1. 1.e4 Great first move! The pawn marches up to e4, a light square right in the middle of the board. Grabbing the center early gives your other pieces nice open lanes to come out and join the fun later.
2. 1...c5 Black plays c5, advancing the pawn two squares from its starting square. This is the Sicilian Defense, a standard response that indirectly challenges White's center.
3. 2.Nf3 White moves their knight from g1 to f3. This is a good developing move that helps get your pieces into the game.
4. 2...Nf6 Black moves their knight from g8 to f6. This is a good, developing move that helps bring a piece into the game.
5. 3.e5 Your pawn advances to e5, moving two squares from its starting position. This central push controls key squares and restricts your opponent’s options. Well played!
6. 3...Nd5 Black develops the knight to d5, placing it in the center and controlling key squares.
7. 4.Nc3 The knight develops from its starting square, bringing it into play. This piece can now influence the center and support future plans.
8. 4...e6 Black moves a pawn from its starting spot two squares forward. This opens a path for the bishop and queen to join the game.
9. 5.Nxd5 Your knight jumps from c3 to d5 and takes their knight! This is a great move because your knight now sits in the middle of the board.
10. 5...exd5 Black's pawn slides over to d5 on a light square and snags White's knight! Winning a piece for free always feels wonderful. Now Black sits proudly in the center while White's pawn waits up on e5.
11. 6.d4 White pushes a pawn to d4, a dark square next to the e5 pawn. These two pawns stand side by side like friendly soldiers, claiming a big slice of the middle and giving White a strong, roomy position.
12. 6...Nc6 Black develops the knight to c6, directly blocking White's advanced e5 pawn and contesting the central squares.

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Win rates by rating

Results from real online games, measured after the line shown in each row. Most opening sites show one aggregate number — how an opening scores depends heavily on who is playing it.

Most played continuations (1400-1600 rating)

After 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.e5 Nd5 4.Nc3 e6 5.Nxd5 exd5 6.d4 Nc6:

• dxc5 — played 28.3% of the time (White wins 57.6%, draws 2.2%, Black wins 40.2%)
• c3 — played 22.4% of the time (White wins 50%, draws 3.6%, Black wins 46.4%)
• Bb5 — played 16.9% of the time (White wins 45.3%, draws 2.6%, Black wins 52.1%)

Related openings

• Sicilian Defense
• Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation
• Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation
• Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation
• Sicilian Defense: Accelerated Dragon
• Sicilian Defense: Closed Variation
• Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation
• Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation
• Sicilian Defense: Rossolimo Attack
• Sicilian Defense: French Variation
• Sicilian Defense: Moscow Variation
• Sicilian Defense: Modern Variations
• Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation
• Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation
• Sicilian Defense: Old Sicilian

Frequently asked questions

Isn't moving the knight twice in the opening bad?

It costs time, and Black is buying something with it: White's pawn on e5 is now a fixed target that cannot be defended by another pawn. This is the same trade the Alekhine Defense makes, and the same objection was raised there. It is a genuine imbalance rather than a mistake, though it does demand accurate follow-up.

What is White's best response?

3.e5 is the critical test and the move that makes the variation interesting. Quieter replies such as 3.Nc3 lead back into ordinary Sicilian territory where Black has committed the knight early — playable for both, but they let Black off the specific challenge the line was inviting.

Why is it so rarely played?

Mostly fashion and the weight of alternatives. The Najdorf and the Rossolimo have absorbed decades of analysis, and a line without that backing is harder to trust in a serious game. As a surprise weapon against a well-prepared 1.e4 player it is a reasonable practical choice.