Chess Openings Lab
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Nimzowitsch Defense: Pseudo-Spanish Variation

The Pseudo-Spanish Variation is 1.e4 Nc6 2.Bb5, a bishop move that pins nothing yet but eyes the c6 knight before White develops anything else. White wants to trade on c6 and damage Black's pawns, while Black answers with ...a6, ...d5 or ...Nf6.

Moves
1.e4 Nc6 2.Bb5
ECO
B00
Engine
−0.11 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
807 games in our lichess sample
White scores
53.0%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Trade with Bxc6 to give Black doubled c-pawns, then play Nf3 and O-O for quick, simple development.
  • After 2...d5, push e5 to gain space, then Bxc6 and b3 as in the second engine line.
  • Against ...Nf6, protect e4 with d3 and play Nf3, keeping the position closed for Black's bishops.
  • Ask the g4 bishop with h3, as in the top engine line, so the pin on f3 does not last.

Black

  • Play 2...a6, one of the engine's top choices, to force the bishop to decide at once.
  • Recapture with ...dxc6 after Bxc6; it opens the d-file and the diagonal for the c8 bishop.
  • Use ...e5 and ...Bg4, as in the top engine line, to get active pieces and pin the f3 knight.
  • Try ...d5 with ...Bd7 for a central challenge that keeps the bishop pair in reserve.

Plans and pawn structure

White's early bishop move is aimed at c6. If White trades, Black gets the bishop pair and open lines in exchange for doubled c-pawns. Black's plan is quick development with ...e5, ...Bg4 and long castling or ...Bc5, using the half-open d-file. White's plan is to castle, keep the position closed with d3, and head for an endgame where the doubled pawns matter. If Black plays ...d5, White pushes e5 and plays against the weak c6 pawn.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position −0.11: level. Its three top choices for Black:

  1. −0.11 2...a6 3.Bxc6 dxc6 4.Nf3 e5 5.O-O
  2. −0.11 2...d5 3.e5 Bd7 4.Bxc6 bxc6 5.b3
  3. +0.03 2...Nf6 3.d3 e5 4.Nf3 Bc5 5.Bxc6

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

807 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 53.0%.

under 120054.8%
1200–159954.9%
1600–199947.5%

Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.

How to play against it

Black, play 2...a6 and take back with ...dxc6 after the trade. Use the bishop pair and the open d-file actively, and avoid trading into a simple endgame too soon. If White keeps the bishop with a retreat, you have gained a free tempo.

Questions

What are the moves of the Nimzowitsch Defense: Pseudo-Spanish Variation?

The Nimzowitsch Defense: Pseudo-Spanish Variation starts 1.e4 Nc6 2.Bb5. Its ECO code is B00.

Is the Nimzowitsch Defense: Pseudo-Spanish Variation good for White?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position −0.11 at depth 20, which is level. In 807 lichess games from our sample, White scored 53.0%. A rare and harmless line for White, and Black gets comfortable play with simple, natural moves.

What is the main idea of the Nimzowitsch Defense: Pseudo-Spanish Variation?

White aims to trade on c6 and double Black's pawns. Black gets the bishop pair and active play with ...a6, ...dxc6, ...e5 and ...Bg4.

What should Black play next?

The engine's first choice is a6, with d5 and Nf6 close behind. 2...a6 asks the bishop to decide right away and gains a tempo if it retreats.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.