Nimzowitsch Defense: Neo-Mongoloid Defense
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Statistics from Lichess
18,828 games: White 61.4% / Draw 3.4% / Black 35.2%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 5,8035,803 | ||
| 5,0885,088 | ||
| 1,3991,399 | ||
| 1,3471,347 | ||
| 1,2871,287 | ||
| 962962 | ||
| 938938 | ||
| 561561 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 30, 2026
Engine evaluation
+1.93 White is clearly better
Best play: 3. Nf3 e6 4. d5 Ne5 5. Nxe5 fxe5 6. Qh5+ g6 7. Qxe5 Nf6
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Nimzowitsch Defense: Neo-Mongoloid Defense (ECO B00, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the Nimzowitsch Defense, reached after 1. e4 Nc6 2. d4 f6 (2 moves).
In 18,828 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 61.4%, Black 35.2% and 3.4% were drawn. White's most played move here is 3. d5, in 31% 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: Neo-Mongoloid Defense
3. Nc3 scores best for White: 65.5%, with White winning 64.1% and Black 33.0% of 1,399 games. The most played, 3. d5, scores 64.7% in 5,803 games, and 3. f4 scores lowest: 60.4%. Stockfish's first choice is 3. 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: Neo-Mongoloid Defense (B00)”. Lichess data as of 30 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/nimzowitsch-defense-neo-mongoloid-defense