Opening Overview

Nimzo-Indian Defense

98 lines
black repertoire

About This Opening

Black pins the knight and immediately attacks White's central structure.

The opening usually invites White to occupy space, then challenges that center with piece pressure, pawn breaks, and flexible development.

In practice, the key is to know when to strike at the center and when to keep pieces flexible, because the wrong timing can leave the position passive.

Key ideas
  • Typical theme: pressure on the center rather than immediate occupation.
  • Common plans include fianchetto setups and timely pawn breaks.
  • Best for players who like asymmetry and counterplay.
  • Study the transition from setup to active central challenge.

Choose a variation

Nimzo-Indian Defense
E20 6 plies
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Dilworth Gambit
E20 7 plies
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e4
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Kmoch Variation
E20 7 plies
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. f3
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Mikenas Attack
E20 7 plies
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qd3
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Romanishin Variation
E20 7 plies
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. g3
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Romanishin Variation
E20 11 plies
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 c5 5. g3 O-O 6. Bg2
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Romanishin Variation, English Hybrid
E20 16 plies
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 c5 5. g3 cxd4 6. Nxd4 O-O 7. Bg2 d5 8. cxd5 Nxd5
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Three Knights Variation
E21 7 plies
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Three Knights Variation, Euwe Variation
E21 10 plies
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 c5 5. d5 Ne4
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Three Knights Variation, Korchnoi Variation
E21 9 plies
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 c5 5. d5
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Three Knights Variation, Shocron Gambit
E21 10 plies
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Bb4+ 4. Nc3 c5 5. d5 b5
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Spielmann Variation
E22 7 plies
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qb3
← Back