Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation

The Kennedy Variation is 1.e4 Nc6 2.d4 e5, one of Black's two main answers to 2.d4 in the Nimzowitsch Defense. Instead of challenging the centre with ...d5, as Aron Nimzowitsch himself usually did (the Scandinavian Variation), Black strikes at d4 with the e-pawn. It is a solid line, favoured by the late British grandmaster Tony Miles.

The idea

The Nimzowitsch Defense is a hypermodern opening: Black invites White to occupy the centre with pawns, then tries to restrain those pawns and later undermine them.

White's third move

• 3.Nf3 transposes to the Scotch Game, so Black has to be ready for it.
• 3.d5 Nce7 gains space. Black intends ...Ng6, a manoeuvre known as the Black Knight's Tango. The retreat 3...Nb8 is considered inferior, though perhaps not as bad as it looks. In practice 3.d5 gives White only a slight plus score.
• 3.dxe5 Nxe5 lets White seek a quiet advantage with 4.Nf3, or play the more aggressive but potentially weakening 4.f4.

The numbers

On Lichess the line has been played in 6.9 million games: White wins 48.6% and Black 47.5%. Under 1400 White does much better, 54.3% against 41.7%, while from 2200 up the results are level, 47.1% against 47.2%. In 649 master games over the board White won 38.1%, Black 30.8%, and 31.1% were drawn.