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Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation is a chess opening that arises after 1.e4 Nc6 2.d4 e5. It is classified B00 in the ECO system, and the position after these moves has white to move. The Nimzowitsch Defense develops the queen's knight to c6 on move one, controlling d4 and e5 with a piece rather than a pawn. It is rare at top level but perfectly playable, and it takes many 1.e4 players immediately out of preparation.
Unusual and transpositional. Many lines shift into the Pirc, the Scandinavian, or the French, so much of the value comes from reaching familiar structures by an unfamiliar route.
Players who want a surprise weapon against 1.e4 and are comfortable in positions where general understanding matters more than memorised lines.
This line is a variation within the Nimzowitsch Defense family. The strategic ideas above describe the family as a whole; this particular line reaches them by the move order 1.e4 Nc6 2.d4 e5.
Each of these is a named opening reached by playing on from 1.e4 Nc6 2.d4 e5. Open any of them to load the position on the board.