E25

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

Nakamura,Hi vs Carlsen,M1/2-1/2
12th Norway Chess 2024 • 2024★ Notable
Giri,A vs Caruana,F1/2-1/2
11th Norway Chess 2023 • 2023★ Notable
Anand,V vs Carlsen,M0-1
WCh 2013 • 2013★ Notable
Carlsen,M vs Morozevich,A1/2-1/2
Tal Memorial • 2009★ Notable
Anand,V vs Kramnik,V1/2-1/2
WCh • 2008★ Notable
Kasparov, Gary vs Polgar, Judit1-0
Tilburg Fontys • 1997★ Notable
Shirov, Alexei vs Karpov, Anatoly0-1
Biel • 1992★ Notable
Shirov, Alexei vs Beliavsky, Alexander G0-1
Biel • 1992★ Notable
Timman, Jan H vs Karpov, Anatoly1/2-1/2
Linares • 1991★ Notable
Timman, Jan H vs Karpov, Anatoly1/2-1/2
Tilburg • 1991★ Notable
Shirov, Alexei vs Ulibin, Mikhail1/2-1/2
Wch U20 • 1990★ Notable
Erigaisi,Arjun vs Carlsen,M1/2-1/2
Chessable Masters Winners • 2025
Erigaisi,Arjun vs Duda,J1/2-1/2
World Rapid 2024 • 2024
Keymer,Vincent vs Carlsen,M1/2-1/2
CCT Final RR 2024 • 2024
Keymer,Vincent vs Martirosyan,Haik M.1/2-1/2
57th Biel GM1 Blitz 2024 • 2024
Caruana,F vs Aronian,L1-0
SuperUnited CRO Rapid 2024 • 2024
Erigaisi,Arjun vs Aronian,L0-1
World Blitz 2023 • 2023
Nepomniachtchi,I vs Radjabov,T1/2-1/2
Airthings Masters KO 2020 • 2020
Caruana,F vs Carlsen,M0-1
Chessable Masters Final 8 • 2020
Smirnov,Ant vs Abdusattorov,Nodirbek0-1
82nd Tata Steel GpB • 2020

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