Nimzowitsch Defense: El Columpio Defense, Pin Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
3,889 games: White 56.7% / Draw 4.0% / Black 39.3%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 2,1622,162 | ||
| 994994 | ||
| 395395 | ||
| 9696 | ||
| 8989 | ||
| 6464 | ||
| 4343 | ||
| 2727 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 29, 2026
Engine evaluation
+1.51 White is clearly better
Best play: 6... a6 7. Bxc6+ bxc6 8. Nc3 Ng8 9. O-O e6 10. Ne4 Ne7 11. Re1
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Nimzowitsch Defense: El Columpio Defense, Pin Variation (ECO B00, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the Nimzowitsch Defense: El Columpio Defense, reached after 1. e4 Nc6 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e5 Ng4 4. d4 d6 5. h3 Nh6 6. Bb5 (6 moves).
In 3,889 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 56.7%, Black 39.3% and 4.0% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 6…a6, in 56% of those games.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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How to play against the Nimzowitsch Defense: El Columpio Defense, Pin Variation
The most played answer, 6…a6, also scores best for Black: 41.7%, with Black winning 39.5% and White 56.0% of 2,162 games. Of the main answers, 6…dxe5 scores lowest: 39.4%. Stockfish's first choice is also 6…a6.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: Black's wins plus half the draws, in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500. How to play against other popular openings
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Nimzowitsch Defense: El Columpio Defense, Pin Variation (B00)”. Lichess data as of 29 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/nimzowitsch-defense-el-columpio-defense-pin-variation