Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, Hammer Gambit
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Statistics from Lichess
37,265 games: White 54.0% / Draw 3.7% / Black 42.3%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 15,07515K | ||
| 12,67113K | ||
| 2,3872,387 | ||
| 2,0452,045 | ||
| 1,9011,901 | ||
| 1,0871,087 | ||
| 708708 | ||
| 496496 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Nov 2, 2026
Engine evaluation
+2.02 White is clearly better
Best play: 4. Nf3 Bc5 5. Nc3 Bb4 6. exf6 Nxf6 7. Bd3 O-O 8. O-O Bxc3
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, Hammer 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 f6 (3 moves).
In 37,265 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 54.0%, Black 42.3% and 3.7% were drawn. White's most played move here is 4. exf6, in 40% 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, Hammer Gambit
4. Bc4 scores best for White: 59.5%, with White winning 58.2% and Black 39.3% of 2,045 games. The most played answer, 4. exf6, scores lowest: 52.9% in 15K games. Stockfish's first choice is 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, Hammer Gambit (B00)”. Lichess data as of 2 Nov 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/nimzowitsch-defense-kennedy-variation-hammer-gambit