FENr1bqkb1r/ppp2ppp/2np1n2/4P3/8/1P2P3/PBP2PPP/RN1QKBNR b KQkq -
Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Modern Variation: what should Black play?
Best move
Nxe5+0.39
By playing Nxe5, you eliminate White's annoying central pawn and plant a powerful e5 in the heart of the board. Most importantly, you keep the Queens on the board and avoid the…
- Games played
- 48K
- To move
- Black
- Evaluation
- +0.39
- Depth
- 22
Why Nxe5 is the best move
Nxe5! — The Only Good Move!
⚠️ Critical position — You found the needle in the haystack! While most players reflexively recapture with the pawn, you prioritized piece activity and King safety.
Why this is the only good move:
By playing Nxe5, you eliminate White's annoying central pawn and plant a powerful e5 in the heart of the board. Most importantly, you keep the Queens on the board and avoid the structural damage that occurs in all other variations.
Why Other Moves Fail
| Move | Eval | Why It Fails |
|---|---|---|
| dxe5 | +0.61 | The "natural" move. It allows Qxd8+ Kxd8, stripping your castling rights. |
| Nd7 | +1.36 | Too passive. White plays exd6, ruining your pawn structure and opening lines. |
| Ne4 | +1.36 | Allows White to simplify into a superior endgame after Nf3 and the Queen trade. |
The traps:
Over 55% of players fall for the Recapture Trap with dxe5. While it looks standard, it invites an immediate Qxd8+. Without the ability to castle, your d8 becomes a target in the center, and White develops with a significant tempo advantage.
How To Find The Only Good Move
Step 1 — Recognize the critical moment:
White's pawn on e5 creates a "fork" on your f6 and d6. You must resolve this tension immediately.
Step 2 — Eliminate the traps:
Calculate the consequence of dxe5. If you see the Queens coming off and your King stuck on d8, look for an alternative that keeps the position dynamic.
Step 3 — Verify the solution:
Capturing with the other Knight maintains the balance:
Nxe5 Be2 Bf5 Nf3 Nxf3+
📚 Pattern: Centralization over Symmetry. Don't just copy White's captures; look for the piece that gains the most "scope" (attacking squares like c4 and f3) by moving to the center.
What else gets played here
Move choices from 48K games in the opening book, with the engine's evaluation of each.
| Move | Evaluation | Played | Games | White score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| dxe5 | +0.61 | 25K | 54% | |
| Nxe5Engine pick | +0.39 | 20K | 50% | |
| Ng4 | +1.38 | 1.1K | 49% | |
| Nd7 | +1.36 | 739 | 53% | |
| Ne4 | +1.36 | 378 | 55% |
More positions in the Nimzo-Larsen Attack
All Nimzo-Larsen Attack positions →Frequently asked questions
What is the best move for Black in the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Modern Variation?
Nxe5 (+0.39). By playing Nxe5, you eliminate White's annoying central pawn and plant a powerful e5 in the heart of the board. Most importantly, you keep the Queens on the board and avoid the…
Why is Nxe5 the best move here?
By playing Nxe5, you eliminate White's annoying central pawn and plant a powerful e5 in the heart of the board. Most importantly, you keep the Queens on the board and avoid the structural damage that occurs in all other variations.
How often does this position occur?
This position has been reached 48K times in the opening book.