E24

Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation

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

Carlsen,M vs Aronian,L1/2-1/2
Saint Louis Blitz 2019 • 2019★ Notable
Carlsen,M vs Leko,P1/2-1/2
Amber Blindfold • 2007★ Notable
Botvinnik, Mikhail vs Tal, Mihail1-0
World Championship 24th • 1961★ Notable
Botvinnik, Mikhail vs Tal, Mihail1/2-1/2
World Championship 23th • 1960★ Notable
Botvinnik, Mikhail vs Tal, Mihail1/2-1/2
World Championship 23th • 1960★ Notable
Botvinnik, Mikhail vs Tal, Mihail1/2-1/2
World Championship 23th • 1960★ Notable
Botvinnik, Mikhail vs Tal, Mihail1/2-1/2
World Championship 23th • 1960★ Notable
Alekhine, Alexander vs Bogoljubow, Efim1/2-1/2
World Championship 15th • 1934★ Notable
Radjabov,T vs Nepomniachtchi,I1-0
World Blitz 2025 • 2025
Van Foreest,Jorden vs Erigaisi,Arjun1/2-1/2
87th Tata Steel Masters • 2025
Abdusattorov,Nodirbek vs Wei Yi1/2-1/2
87th Tata Steel Masters • 2025
Anas Khwaira vs Mamedyarov,S1/2-1/2
45th Olympiad 2024 • 2024
Firouzja,Alireza vs Carlsen,M0-1
SpeedChess Final 2024 • 2024
Firouzja,Alireza vs So,W1-0
Superbet ROM Classic 2024 • 2024
Radjabov,T vs Giri,A1/2-1/2
CGC KO 2022 • 2022
Salem,AR vs Keymer,Vincent0-1
55th Biel GM Blitz 2022 • 2022
Grischuk,A vs Caruana,F0-1
Chess.com Rapid W10 Swiss • 2022
Van Foreest,Jorden vs Giri,A1-0
84th Tata Steel Masters • 2022
Carlsen,M vs Aronian,L0-1
Meltwater Tour Final 2021 • 2021
Carlsen,M vs Keymer,Vincent1/2-1/2
Carlsen vs. Challengers • 2021

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