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Nimzowitsch Defense: El Columpio Defense for Black
This opening asks Black to meet 1.e4 with an unusual knight setup, but the current position is not easy for you. After 1.e4 Nc6 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.e5 Ng4, it is White to move and the engine already prefers White by a clear margin. That makes this a useful drill for learning when the setup works, what White is trying to do, and how to answer the most common choices without drifting into trouble.
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Create a free account →What the position is really asking
The key fact here is simple: White has the initiative and you are trying to solve an active problem, not claim a comfortable equal game. Stockfish rates this +1.36, a clear edge for White. That means you are worse here, so your goal in the drill is practical defence: stay organised, avoid giving White free tempo, and look for a solid follow-up rather than chasing tactics that are not there.
The move White should know
The engine’s best move is d4, and the listed continuation is d4 d6 h3 Nh6. That tells you what White is aiming for: strong central play, plus pressure on your awkward knight placement. If White chooses the engine line, you should expect a direct, principled response and a position where accurate development matters much more than fancy ideas.
What the database says
This exact position has been reached in 84,920 games, so it is not just a theoretical curiosity. White scores 53.2%, draws 3.5%, and Black wins 43.3%. In practical terms, that means the line gives White the better results overall, and you should treat the opening as something to handle carefully rather than rely on it to equalise by itself.
Common replies to prepare for
The most-played continuation is d4, with 62,986 games, and White scores 55.6% there. Other common tries are h3, Bc4, Qe2, Bb5, and Ng5. Of those, h3, Bc4, and Qe2 are specifically flagged as mistakes, so the drill should help you recognise those moves quickly and punish them by meeting them with sound development instead of overreacting.
Why this opening needs accurate defence
The big lesson of this position is that Black’s setup can become loose if White gets to play naturally. The knight on g4 is not a reason to panic, but it is a sign that you must be precise. If you know the engine’s best answer and the most common human choices, you will be much better prepared to survive the opening and steer the game into something playable.
Results across 84,920 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| d4 | 62,986 | 55.6% |
| h3 | 10,099 | 46.5% |
| Bc4 | 3,467 | 45.4% |
| Qe2 | 1,986 | 48.3% |
| Bb5 | 1,439 | 45.9% |
| Ng5 | 1,203 | 45.6% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Nimzowitsch Defense: El Columpio Defense good for Black?
In this exact position, the results are not favourable for you. The engine gives +1.36, which means White is clearly better, and the database also shows White scoring more often than Black. It is playable as a surprise weapon, but you need to know the defence well.
What is White’s best move here?
The engine’s best move is d4. The listed continuation is d4 d6 h3 Nh6, which shows White trying to take space and keep pressure on your setup. In the drill, that is the main line you should be ready for.
Which replies should I watch out for most?
The most-played continuation is d4, with 62,986 games. Other common choices are h3, Bc4, Qe2, Bb5, and Ng5. Among those, h3, Bc4, and Qe2 are marked as mistakes, so they are especially important to understand.
What should I learn from this position as Black?
Focus on defence, development, and not letting White’s central play become overwhelming. This opening can leave you slightly awkward early, so the drill is about handling White’s most natural moves accurately. If you know the best reply and the common mistakes, you can save a lot of trouble.
How many games feature the Nimzowitsch Defense: El Columpio Defense?
Over 84K Lichess games have reached the Nimzowitsch Defense: El Columpio Defense position. White wins 53.2%, Black wins 43.3%, with 3.5% draws — based on real rated games.