Library/Openings/Nimzo-Indian Defense/Spielmann Variation/Carlsbad Variation ECO E23
Opening· 14 plies

Nimzo-Indian Defense: Spielmann Variation, Carlsbad Variation

An entry in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings (ECO E23), reached after 14 half-moves: 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qb3 c5 5. dxc5 Nc6 6. Nf3 Ne4 7. Bd2 Nxd2.

Nimzo-Indian Defense: Spielmann Variation, Carlsbad Variation ECO E23
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Black rook
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End of this line

No further variations branch from this position in our database. To explore neighbouring ideas:

About this opening

Nimzo-Indian Defense: Spielmann Variation, Carlsbad Variation is an opening in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings, classified under code E23. ECO group E (E00–E99) covers Indian defences against 1.d4, covering the Nimzo-Indian, Queen's Indian, King's Indian and Catalan systems. This particular variation is reached after 14 half-moves from the starting position, with the move sequence 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qb3 c5 5. dxc5 Nc6 6. Nf3 Ne4 7. Bd2 Nxd2.

It belongs to the Nimzo-Indian Defense family. Within that family this is a level-2 branch (the Spielmann Variation → Carlsbad Variation line). The immediate parent line is Nimzo-Indian Defense: Spielmann Variation, transitioned via 7…Nxd2.

The opening sequence in prose form: 1.d4 Nf6, 2.c4 e6, 3.Nc3 Bb4, 4.Qb3 c5, 5.dxc5 Nc6, 6.Nf3 Ne4. From this position the encyclopaedia records no further canonical continuations — practical play branches into unnamed transpositions or returns to the parent line for alternative ideas.