Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, Bielefelder Gambit
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Statistics from Lichess
44,553 games: White 51.2% / Draw 4.0% / Black 44.8%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 29,11529K | ||
| 5,4985,498 | ||
| 3,7893,789 | ||
| 2,0472,047 | ||
| 992992 | ||
| 668668 | ||
| 555555 | ||
| 410410 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 30, 2026
Engine evaluation
+1.34 White is better
Best play: 4. Nf3 d6 5. exd6 Nf6 6. Nc3 Ng4 7. dxc7 Bxf2+ 8. Ke2 Qxd1+
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, Bielefelder Gambit (ECO B00, Semi-Open Games) is a gambit in the Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, reached after 1. e4 Nc6 2. d4 e5 3. dxe5 Bc5 (3 moves).
In 44,553 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 51.2%, Black 44.8% and 4.0% were drawn. White's most played move here is 4. Nf3, in 65% 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: Kennedy Variation, Bielefelder Gambit
The most played answer, 4. Nf3, also scores best for White: 54.6%, with White winning 52.5% and Black 43.3% of 29K games. Of the main answers, 4. Nc3 scores lowest: 50.8%. Stockfish's first choice is also 4. Nf3.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: White'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: Kennedy Variation, Bielefelder Gambit (B00)”. Lichess data as of 30 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/nimzowitsch-defense-kennedy-variation-bielefelder-gambit