Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, Linksspringer Variation
The Linksspringer Variation of the Kennedy is 3.d5, where White gains space and kicks the c6 knight. White aims for a big center with c4 and Nc3, while Black reroutes the knight with ...Nce7 and prepares ...g6 and ...f5.
- Moves
- 1.e4 Nc6 2.d4 e5 3.d5
- ECO
- B00
- Engine
- +0.61 · a slight edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 8,318 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 52.3%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- Gain space with h4 and Qd3, as in the top engine line; h4 can later push h5 against a knight on g6.
- Play c4 and Nc3 to support d5 and take more space on the queenside before Black organizes.
- Against the retreat ...Nb8, develop with Nf3, Nc3 and Be3, and keep the extra space without hurry.
- If Black tries ...Nb4, play Nc3 and f4, as in the third engine line, to open the f-file.
Black
- Retreat with ...Nce7, the engine's choice, so the knight can go to g6 and support ...f5.
- Set up with ...Nf6, ...d6 and ...g6 for a King's Indian type structure with a locked center.
- Avoid ...Nb4, which leaves the knight offside and lets White attack with f4 and Bxf4.
- Prepare ...f5 to hit e4; it is Black's main pawn break once the knights are rerouted.
Plans and pawn structure
After 3.d5 the center locks with pawns on d5 and e4 against e5 and d6. White plays for queenside space with c4 and Nc3, and the engine also likes h4 to gain room on the kingside. Black reroutes the knight from c6 to e7 and often g6, sets up ...Nf6, ...d6 and ...g6, and prepares ...f5. White's long-term plan is c5 to open the queenside, while Black looks for kingside counterplay.
Where the engine's main line heads: Locked center: d5–e4 against d6–e5. A locked center: White's d5 and e4 against Black's d6 and e5. The game moves to the wings, where each side attacks where its pawns point.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.61: a slight edge for White. Its three top choices for Black:
- +0.61 3...Nce7 4.h4 Nf6 5.Qd3 d6 6.c4
- +0.87 3...Nb8 4.Nf3 d6 5.Nc3 Be7 6.h3
- +1.41 3...Nb4 4.Nc3 Bc5 5.f4 exf4 6.Bxf4
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
8,318 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 52.3%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
How to play against it
Black, retreat with ...Nce7 and set up with ...Nf6, ...d6 and ...g6. Do not play ...Nb4, where the knight is out of play and f4 hurts. White, gain space with c4 and h4, and do not let Black get ...f5 in without preparation.
Questions
What are the moves of the Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, Linksspringer Variation?
The Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, Linksspringer Variation starts 1.e4 Nc6 2.d4 e5 3.d5. Its ECO code is B00.
Is the Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, Linksspringer Variation good for White?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.61 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for White. In 8,318 lichess games from our sample, White scored 52.3%. A good choice for White players who like space, and Black needs patience to find kingside counterplay.
What is the main idea of the Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, Linksspringer Variation?
White gains space with d5 and kicks the knight. Black reroutes it with ...Nce7 and prepares ...f5 in a locked center, while White expands on the queenside.
What should Black play next?
The engine's first choice is Nce7, with Nb8 and Nb4 close behind. 3...Nce7 reroutes the knight toward g6 and supports a later ...f5 break.
Related lines
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.