Chessy
The Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, Linksspringer Na5 — White's Guide
After 1.e4 Nc6 2.d4 e5 3.d5 Na5 you have chased Black's knight to the rim, and now 4.Nf3 adds another tempo to your lead. Stockfish rates this position +1.55 — a near-winning edge for White. You already have more space, better development, and a knight stuck on a5 that will take several moves to rejoin the fight. Across over twenty thousand real games, White scores 60.1% wins here. The question is not whether you stand better, but how to keep the pressure on and convert. The drill below puts you in White's seat — use it to find the most punishing continuation and learn where Black usually goes wrong.
Play the Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, Linksspringer Variation: Na5 against the engine
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Ready to put this into practice? Play through the position from 4.Nf3 against an adapting engine right here on Chessy — practise punishing 4…d6 and all of Black
Create a free account →What You're Fighting For: Space and the Trapped Knight
Your central pawn duo (e4 and d5) already cramps Black's position, and the knight on a5 is far from the action. Black needs at least three moves to bring it back to a useful square (a5–b6–d7 or a5–c6). That gives you a big head start on development and a chance to attack before Black's pieces coordinate. Your main job is not to let Black off the hook with a quick ...d6 break or a pawn trade. Keep the centre closed, develop naturally, and look to start something on the kingside or in the centre while Black's queenside knight sulks.
The Engine's Top Choice: 4…Qe7
The most accurate move Black can play is 4…Qe7, which avoids immediate trouble and prepares to develop while keeping an eye on the e4 pawn. The engine's suggested continuation is 5.Nc3 b6 6.g4 — yes, g4 is the computer's follow-up. That g-pawn thrust aims to seize kingside space and potentially kick out a black knight if it lands on f6. Don't be afraid of pushing pawns in front of your king when Black's pieces are still scattered. After 4…Qe7 you are still clearly better, but Black has at least avoided an outright blunder.
The Most Common (and Punishable) Mistake: 4…d6
By far the most popular reply in the database is 4…d6, played over 7,300 times — and it is a mistake that costs Black roughly 1.9 pawns worth of advantage. The move looks natural: Black wants to free the light-squared bishop and prepare …Nf6. But after 5.dxe6! Bxe6 (or …fxe6), White gets a powerful central presence, the e4 pawn remains unchallenged, and Black's knight on a5 is still a problem. The statistics back this up: White scores 59.6% after 4…d6, which is good, but the engine says it could be even better if you punish it precisely. In the drill, when Black plays 4…d6, look for the recapture on e6 that opens lines for your pieces.
Other Replies and What They Tell You
Here is how White scores against Black's other choices after 4.Nf3, based on thousands of games each: - 4…b6 (2,297 games): White wins 54.2%. Black plans …Bb7 to pressure e4. Meet it with Nc3 and keep d5 strong. - 4…Nf6 (2,285 games): White wins 60.4%. Black attacks e4 directly. You can defend with Nc3 and maintain your centre. - 4…c6 (2,134 games): White wins 64.6%. Black tries to undermine d5. Capture on c6 or push d6 — both keep you in control. - 4…f6 (1,629 games): White wins 63.4%. Black prepares …e4 or …g5 ideas. Develop quickly and don't let Black seize space. - 4…Bd6 (1,385 games): White wins 54.7%. Black develops but blocks the d-pawn. Central action with c4 or Nc3 is strong. Every one of these replies leaves you with a comfortable advantage. Spot the pattern: Black's knight on a5 is a long-term weakness, and as long as you develop without blundering, your position plays itself.
Results across 20,581 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| d6 | 7,303 | 59.6% |
| b6 | 2,297 | 54.2% |
| Nf6 | 2,285 | 60.4% |
| c6 | 2,134 | 64.6% |
| f6 | 1,629 | 63.4% |
| Bd6 | 1,385 | 54.7% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, Linksspringer Na5 good for Black?
No — after 1.e4 Nc6 2.d4 e5 3.d5 Na5 4.Nf3, Stockfish gives White a +1.55 advantage, which is close to a winning edge. White scores 60.1% wins in real games, and the knight on a5 is misplaced. Black is fighting for equality at best.
What is the best move for Black after 4.Nf3?
The engine says 4…Qe7 is Black's best try. It prepares …b6 and …Bb7 while avoiding the immediate tactical problems of 4…d6. The suggested follow-up from the computer is 5.Nc3 b6 6.g4. White keeps a large advantage regardless.
Why is 4…d6 a mistake for Black?
After 4…d6, White plays 5.dxe6, opening the centre. Whether Black recaptures with the bishop or pawn, White's central pawn on e4 stays strong, Black's knight on a5 remains a problem, and White gets active piece play. The engine says this costs Black about 1.9 pawns of advantage.
How should White handle Black's knight on a5?
Don't waste time chasing it. The knight is already poorly placed and will take several moves to become useful. Focus on developing with Nc3, Be3 or Bf4, and Qd2, then start a kingside or central attack. The knight on a5 is a long-term asset for you — it's not doing anything useful for Black.