Chessy
Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, de Smet Gambit
After 1.e4 Nc6 2.d4 e5 3.dxe5 d6, White to move has a choice that can make your game much easier or much harder. Stockfish rates this +0.78, a clear edge for White. That means you are already facing a lasting disadvantage, so your job is to know the right reactions, stay active, and avoid drifting into a passive defence. Use the drill below to practise the critical position and learn what White usually does next.
Play the Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, de Smet Gambit against the engine
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Play the drill now and practise the key reply as Black. Create a free account to save your progress and come back to it anytime.
Create a free account →What the opening asks Black to handle
This line is sharp and direct: White grabs space early, and Black answers with immediate activity. In the resulting position, your main challenge is to keep pieces moving and not let White convert the extra central presence into a simple advantage. The position is not about slow manoeuvring; it is about surviving the most forcing reply and then finding active development. If you are playing Black, you need to be ready for White to choose the engine move or one of the most common practical continuations.
The move you must know
The engine’s best move here is exd6, continuing exd6 Bxd6 Nc3 Qe7. That is the critical reply to build into your thinking, because it is the move the drill will test most directly. If White takes in the centre, you should expect the game to open and your pieces to come out quickly. The key idea is simple: meet White’s central play with active piece development instead of hesitation.
What the database says White actually plays
This position has been reached in 592,910 games at Lichess, so it is a very practical tabiya rather than a rare sideline. The most-played continuation is exd6 with 459,894 games, and White scores 47.7% there. Other common choices are Nf3 with 60,203 games, Bb5 with 43,626 games, Nc3 with 8,518 games, f4 with 7,325 games, and Bc4 with 4,140 games. The numbers tell you this is a real test of move choice, not a theoretical curiosity.
The mistakes to punish
Two replies are marked as inaccuracies here: f4 and Bc4. In both cases, the better move is exd6. If White plays f4, the move loses about 0.7 pawns; if White plays Bc4, it loses about 0.6 pawns. That means you should welcome those choices, but you still need to respond accurately and keep your position coordinated.
Results across 592,910 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| exd6 | 459,894 | 47.7% |
| Nf3 | 60,203 | 51.2% |
| Bb5 | 43,626 | 51.6% |
| Nc3 | 8,518 | 51.7% |
| f4 | 7,325 | 50.3% |
| Bc4 | 4,140 | 47.1% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, de Smet Gambit good for Black?
This exact position is not an easy one for Black. Stockfish gives **+0.78**, which means White has a clear, lasting advantage. If you choose it, you should know you are defending from an uncomfortable position and need accurate play.
What is the best move for Black after 1.e4 Nc6 2.d4 e5 3.dxe5 d6?
The engine’s best move is **exd6**. The suggested continuation is **exd6 Bxd6 Nc3 Qe7**. That is the main reply to learn if you want to handle the position well.
What are White’s most common moves in this position?
The most played continuation is **exd6**, and the next most common moves are **Nf3**, **Bb5**, **Nc3**, **f4**, and **Bc4**. Knowing these choices helps you prepare for the moves you are most likely to face in practical games.
Which White moves are mistakes here?
Both **f4** and **Bc4** are listed as inaccuracies. In each case, the better move is **exd6**. If White chooses either of those moves, you should still respond carefully, but you can be happy to see them.
How many games feature the Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, de Smet Gambit?
Over 592K Lichess games have reached the Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, de Smet Gambit position. White wins 48.4%, Black wins 47.6%, with 4.0% draws — based on real rated games.