After 1.e4 Nc6 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4, Black has already played two slightly odd moves. The knight on c6 attacks nothing yet, and ...d6 locks in the light-squared bishop. In this position you, as White, have a clear, lasting advantage: Stockfish rates it +0.70, a solid edge for you. The database backs this up — across over a million games you win 53.4% of the time, while Black manages only 42.5%. That gap is bigger than in many main-line openings. The question is not whether you stand better, but which reply from Black gives you the best chance to convert. The interactive drill below will teach you how to meet each option.
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Play the Nimzowitsch Defense: Declined Variation: d6 against the engine
Free, no signup — you play white, the engine adapts to your level.
Ready to put this advantage to work? Jump into the interactive drill below, where you'll face Black's most common responses and learn to convert your +0.70 edge
Find your own #1 mistake — free →What the Engine Wants You to Play
The engine's top recommendation is Nf6 (continuing Nf6 Nc3 e5 Bb5). This natural developing move fights for the centre and aims to force Black into a Philidor-style setup where White gets a comfortable edge. Notice that 3...Nf6 directly challenges your e4 pawn, inviting you to play Nc3 and then answer ...e5 with Bb5, pinning the knight and keeping pressure on the central dark squares. It is the move that gives you the cleanest path to maintain your +0.70 edge — no drama, just solid chess.
The Most Popular Replies — and How to Face Them
By far the most common move is Bg4, played in 365,160 games. Despite its popularity, it is actually an inaccuracy that loses roughly 0.6 pawns of advantage. Black pins your knight to the queen, but with d4 already played you can respond actively — for example, developing with Nc3 or Be2, then later challenging the bishop with h3. Your winning chances remain healthy at 52.9% against this move. The second most popular reply is e5 (192,956 games), where White scores even better at 53.7%. Here you simply take the centre space and develop naturally. Other replies — e6, g6, Bd7 — all score below 54% for you, meaning none of them should worry you.
The One Mistake to Punish
The FACTS single out Bg4 as a known mistake: it is an inaccuracy that loses about 0.6 pawns of advantage compared to the best move Nf6. Why? Because after 3.d4, Black's bishop sortie to g4 does not achieve much — your centre is already solid, and the pin is easy to break with h3 or Be2 followed by h3. Meanwhile, Black has not developed the king's knight, so you gain time. In the drill, if Black plays Bg4, press your advantage by continuing with natural development and plan to kick the bishop away. This is the kind of inaccuracy intermediate players often miss, and you can exploit it.
Results across 1,078,219 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bg4Main line | 365,160 | 52.9% |
| 2 | e5 | 192,956 | 53.7% |
| 3 | Nf6 | 178,339 | 52.2% |
| 4 | e6 | 122,681 | 53.4% |
| 5 | g6 | 70,188 | 50.0% |
| 6 | Bd7 | 37,786 | 51.8% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Nimzowitsch Defense a good opening for Black?
In the Declined d6 variation, Black's results are modest: they win only 42.5% of games compared to your 53.4%. The engine gives you a +0.70 edge. While playable, it is not Black's most ambitious choice, and you should feel confident as White.
What is the best move for Black after 3.d4?
According to the engine, Black's best move is Nf6, which leads to a more fighting position after Nc3 e5 Bb5. The most popular move Bg4 is actually an inaccuracy that costs Black roughly 0.6 pawns of advantage.
How should White respond to 3...e5?
Black's 3...e5 is the second most common reply, appearing in nearly 193,000 games. White scores 53.7% against it — slightly better than the average. Simply continue developing with moves like Nc3 or Bb5, keeping your central space advantage.
What does the +0.70 evaluation mean for White?
That number means White is clearly better in this position. From your perspective as White, you have a comfortable, lasting edge — about two-thirds of a pawn. This is not a tiny opening advantage; it is a real plus you can build on in the middlegame.