Nimzowitsch Defence (1.e4 Nc6)

Originally posted by Exuma
Pretty hypermodern of you! Self imposed restraint in development? Perhaps as White you could try 1. Nc3 and in response to any black move - 2.Nb1!! :-)

Originally posted by Korch
cms is right - black is not obliged to play e5. For example:

1) 1.e4 Nc6 2.d5 d5 and its white who will play 3.e5
2) 1.e4 Nc6 2.Nf3 d6 with no intention to play e5 so soon - as I know possible plan for black is to play Bg4 and e6.

Originally posted by ShaKKaXulu
Reminds me of a funny game on chessgames

http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1200051

Originally posted by Exuma
Both of those lines seem to temporarily limit the black kingside pieces, and allow white a space advantage as well. Isn't it hypermodern idea to allow the other side a classical center, then attack it?

Originally posted by Korch
1...Nc6 is hypermodern idea actually. But your comments about 1.Nc3 and 2.Nb1 are inadequate.

Originally posted by Exuma
Ah! Forum miscommunication. That part was intended to be humour.

I think 1.e4 Nc6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 is quite playable for black. There are enough Grandmaster games with not bad results for the black side. But as with every other opening you have to like it. If you don't feel good with it don't play it. If you feel comfortable it's worth looking at it.

I sometimes play the Nimzovich Defense in blitz. In their book, "A Complete Defense for Black", GM Raymond Keene and IM Byron Jacobs recommend that Black play 1...Nc6 against any first move by White. The resulting games are quite playable for Black as both players are usually forced to rely on their own skills early on.