E20

Nimzo-Indian Defense

Key moves: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4

The Nimzo-Indian Defence is one of the most respected and popular responses to 1.d4. Black pins the knight on c3 with ...Bb4, controlling e4 and creating dynamic imbalances. It leads to rich strategic and tactical positions.

History & Notable Players

Named after Aron Nimzowitsch, the great hypermodern pioneer. It has been a favourite of virtually every World Champion from Capablanca onwards, and remains one of the most important chess openings.

Best Games

Erigaisi,Arjun vs Gukesh,D1-0
13th Norway Chess 2025 • 2025★ Notable
So,W vs Keymer,Vincent1/2-1/2
Tata Steel India Rapid • 2024★ Notable
Aronian,L vs Praggnanandhaa,R1/2-1/2
Saint Louis Rapid 2024 • 2024★ Notable
Keymer,Vincent vs Grischuk,A0-1
Tata Steel IND Rapid Open • 2023★ Notable
Erigaisi,Arjun vs Nakamura,Hi1-0
Tata Steel India Blitz • 2022★ Notable
Mamedyarov,S vs Nakamura,Hi1/2-1/2
Tata Steel India Blitz • 2022★ Notable
Erigaisi,Arjun vs Praggnanandhaa,R1-0
Tata Steel India Blitz • 2022★ Notable
Erigaisi,Arjun vs Dominguez Perez,L1-0
44th Olympiad 2022 • 2022★ Notable
Mamedyarov,S vs Caruana,F0-1
8th Sinquefield Cup 2021 • 2021★ Notable
Gareev,T vs Le Quang Liem1-0
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 21 • 2021★ Notable
Le Quang Liem vs Tsydypov,Z0-1
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 21 • 2021★ Notable
Caruana,F vs Aronian,L0-1
8th Norway Chess 2020 • 2020★ Notable
Firouzja,Alireza vs Carlsen,M0-1
Saint Louis Rapid 2020 • 2020★ Notable
Aronian,L vs Grischuk,A1-0
Saint Louis Rapid 2020 • 2020★ Notable
Caruana,F vs Alekseenko,K1-0
FIDE Candidates 2020 • 2020★ Notable
Firouzja,Alireza vs Anand,V0-1
82nd Tata Steel GpA • 2020★ Notable
Mamedyarov,S vs Rapport,R0-1
Saint Louis Rapid 2019 • 2019★ Notable
So,W vs Karjakin,Sergey1/2-1/2
Riga FIDE Grand Prix 2019 • 2019★ Notable
Mamedyarov,S vs Aronian,L1/2-1/2
Tata Steel India Blitz • 2018★ Notable
Mamedyarov,S vs Karjakin,Sergey1-0
Tata Steel India Rapid • 2018★ Notable

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