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: Sämisch Variation
E28 11 plies
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation
E29 14 plies
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 c5 5. Bd3 Nc6 6. a3 Bxc3+ 7. bxc3 O-O
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Capablanca Variation
E29 18 plies
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 c5 5. Bd3 Nc6 6. a3 Bxc3+ 7. bxc3 O-O 8. Ne2 b6 9. e4 Ne8
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Leningrad Variation
E30 7 plies
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Bg5
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Leningrad Variation, Averbakh Gambit
E30 12 plies
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Bg5 h6 5. Bh4 c5 6. d5 b5
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Leningrad Variation, Benoni Defense
E31 12 plies
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Bg5 h6 5. Bh4 c5 6. d5 d6
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation
E32 7 plies
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Keres Defense
E32 12 plies
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 O-O 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 b6
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Vitolins-Adorjan Gambit
E32 12 plies
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 O-O 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 b5
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Milner-Barry Variation
E33 10 plies
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 Nc6 5. Nf3 d6
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Zurich Variation
E33 8 plies
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 Nc6
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Belyavsky Gambit
E34 14 plies
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 d5 5. cxd5 Qxd5 6. Nf3 Qf5 7. Qd1 e5
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