Nimzowitsch Defense & Neo Barnes Defense
Nimzowitsch Defense (1. e4 Nc6)
Definition
The Nimzowitsch Defense is the reply 1…Nc6 to 1.e4. Instead of occupying the centre with a pawn (as in 1…e5 or 1…c5) Black immediately develops a piece and places indirect pressure on the d4-square. The opening is catalogued under ECO codes B00–B06.
Typical Move-Orders
- Main Line: 1.e4 Nc6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 or 3.Nc3 dxe4
- Pirc-like: 1.e4 Nc6 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 Nf6
- Scandinavian Transposition: 1.e4 Nc6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 Qxd5
- Chigorin Reversal: 1.e4 Nc6 2.d4 e5 3.Nf3 exd4
Strategic Ideas
Nimzowitsch’s concept is “central control by pieces rather than pawns.” Black keeps the pawn structure flexible and chooses the moment to challenge the centre.
- …d5 or …d6 can be timed to suit the position.
- The provocation 2.d4 is welcome; exchange lines can leave White with an isolated queen’s pawn or an over-extended centre.
- Because c-pawns and e-pawns are still at home, Black can transpose into many systems, often catching an unprepared opponent.
Historical Background
Aron Nimzowitsch (1886-1935) advocated the opening in his writings, yet he played it only occasionally. Later it was tried by creative grandmasters such as Bent Larsen, Tony Miles, Julio Granda Zúñiga, Richard Rapport and even Magnus Carlsen (Gelfand – Carlsen, Tal Memorial 2012).
Illustrative Mini-Game
Richard Rapport – Li Chao, Dortmund 2016 (rapid). Rapport sacrificed a pawn for the initiative and won in 25 moves.
Practical Usage
At club level 1…Nc6 is a potent surprise weapon because:
- It avoids the reams of theory in the Sicilian, French and 1…e5.
- White players often respond automatically with 2.Nf3, after which Black can steer into less-analysed Pirc-type lines.
Interesting Facts
- Garry Kasparov employed 1…Nc6 twice in 1993 (Moscow rapid vs. Gregoriev and blitz vs. Lautier) and won both times.
- Because the knight move blocks the c-pawn, some authors used to call the defense “the impudent knight.”
- Modern engines evaluate the opening as playable (≈ 0.30) if Black knows the resulting structures.
Neo Barnes Defense (1. e4 f6 2.d4 Kf7)
Definition
The Neo Barnes Defense is a rarely-seen continuation of the Barnes Defense (1…f6) in which Black immediately plays 2…Kf7, bringing the king into the open as early as move 2. ECO classifies it as B00 (“irregular King’s pawn defenses”).
Why the Name?
English master Thomas Wilson Barnes (1825-1874) experimented with 1…f6 in friendly games against Paul Morphy. The “Neo” prefix was coined later to distinguish the adventurous king move (2…Kf7) from quieter set-ups like 2…e6.
Basic Move-Order
- 1.e4 f6
- 2.d4 Kf7
- 3.Nf3 e6 or 3.Bc4+ e6
Strategic (and Tactical) Considerations
The opening flies in the face of classical principles:
- King safety: Black’s monarch loses castling rights and becomes a tactical target on f7.
- Development: Two moves have been spent on king and pawn, while White enjoys a full centre and can develop naturally.
- Psychology: Because the line is objectively dubious, it is almost always used as a surprise weapon, a “have-fun-and-fight” choice in blitz or simuls.
Sample Tactics
A typical punishing method:
Historical Tidbits
- Barnes famously beat Morphy eight times in off-hand games, although none with the Neo-Barnes.
- IM Michael Basman—known for fringe openings—used 2…Kf7 several times in British weekend tournaments during the 1980s.
- The earliest recorded instance of the exact move-order is Steinitz – Bardeleben, informal Berlin 1866 (White won in 19 moves).
Modern Evaluation
Engines give White a hefty +2.0 to +3.0 advantage from the very opening. Nonetheless, in bullet chess the line still scores the occasional miniature because opponents cannot resist premature sacrifices that fizzle out if mis-timed.
Practical Advice
- For White: Seize the centre with d4 and e4, develop rapidly, and keep the f-file and diagonal a2-g8 in mind for tactics.
- For Black: If you insist on playing it, prepare a quick …g6, …Bg7, …Ne7 and cling to the dark-square bishop for king cover.
Fun Fact
Because the king waltzes on move 2, the Neo Barnes is sometimes nicknamed “The Walk-of-Shame Defense” in online commentary.