The Classical Variation, Keres Defense is a variation of the Nimzo-Indian Defense, catalogued as ECO E32. The line runs 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 O-O 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 b6, reaching the position shown below after 12 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on d4. Development is level at one minor pieces each. It is White to move after six moves. Black has castled while White’s king is still uncommitted; White has the bishop pair.
On the Nimzo-Indian Defense generally: One of the most respected defenses to 1.d4. Black pins the knight and fights for central control.
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The Classical Variation, Keres Defense goes 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 O-O 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 b6. It is a variation of the Nimzo-Indian Defense and is catalogued as ECO E32.
The Classical Variation, Keres Defense is ECO E32. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Nimzo-Indian Defense.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 O-O 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 b6 at +0.24 at depth 18, which is balanced. Engine evaluation is only a starting point — at club level the practical value of a line is mostly about whether you know its plans better than your opponent does.
White holds the centre with pawns on d4. Development is level at one minor pieces each. It is White to move. Black has castled while White’s king is still uncommitted; White has the bishop pair.