E23

Nimzo-Indian Defense: Spielmann Variation, Romanovsky Gambit

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

Bogoljubow, Efim vs Alekhine, Alexander1/2-1/2
World Championship 14th • 1929★ Notable
Piket,Je vs Gelfand,B1/2-1/2
Amber Blindfold • 2001
Smyslov, Vassily vs Ehlvest, Jaan1/2-1/2
Biel Interzonal • 1993
Euwe, Max vs Nimzowitsch, Aaron1/2-1/2
Zuerich • 1934
Papasimakopoulos,Alexandros vs Kramnik,V1/2-1/2
Titled Tue 19th Nov Early • 2024
Stepanencu,Nicodim-Cosmin vs Navara,D1-0
Titled Tue 29th Aug Early • 2023
Piket, Jeroen vs Ljubojevic, Ljubomir1/2-1/2
Monaco m • 1994
Bronstein, David I vs Spassov, Liuben1/2-1/2
Tungsram • 1977
Barczay, Laszlo vs Tal, Mihail0-1
Asztalos mem • 1963
Mikenas, Vladas vs Tal, Mihail1-0
URS-ch30 • 1962
Reshevsky, Samuel Herman vs Pirc, Vasja1/2-1/2
Amsterdam • 1950
Euwe, Max vs Myhre, Erling1-0
Dubrovnik olm • 1950
Euwe, Max vs Pirc, Vasja1-0
Bled m • 1949
Euwe, Max vs Evans, Larry Melvyn1/2-1/2
Hastings4950 • 1949
Euwe, Max vs Vinken, A.1/2-1/2
Maastricht • 1946
Najdorf, Miguel vs Bolbochan, Julio1/2-1/2
Mar del Plata • 1945
Stahlberg, Gideon vs Nimzowitsch, Aaron1-0
Gothenburg m • 1934
Stahlberg, Gideon vs Nimzowitsch, Aaron1-0
Gothenburg m • 1934
Spielmann, Rudolf vs Euwe, Max1/2-1/2
Amsterdam m • 1932
Botvinnik, Mikhail vs Savitsky, Leonid1-0
Leningrad-ch • 1932

Explore More

All OpeningsAll Players