Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, Herford Gambit
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Statistics from Lichess
4,281 games: White 55.3% / Draw 3.5% / Black 41.1%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 2,1512,151 | ||
| 1,2571,257 | ||
| 488488 | ||
| 8686 | ||
| 8585 | ||
| 5656 | ||
| 3131 | ||
| 3030 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 31, 2026
Engine evaluation
+1.81 White is clearly better
Best play: 4. Nf3 Qxe4+ 5. Be2 d6 6. Nc3 Qf5 7. Nb5 Qd7 8. exd6 Bxd6
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, Herford 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 Qh4 (3 moves).
In 4,281 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 55.3%, Black 41.1% and 3.5% were drawn. White's most played move here is 4. Nc3, in 50% 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, Herford Gambit
4. Nf3 scores best for White: 62.3%, with White winning 60.9% and Black 36.4% of 1,257 games. The most played, 4. Nc3, scores 56.5% in 2,151 games, and 4. Bd3 scores lowest: 55.1%. 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, Herford Gambit (B00)”. Lichess data as of 31 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/nimzowitsch-defense-kennedy-variation-herford-gambit