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  3. /Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation (E27)
E27

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.

Top Players in this Opening

Mamedyarov,S5 gamesCarlsen,M3 gamesNajdorf, Miguel3 gamesPortisch, Lajos3 gamesGeller, Efim P3 gamesBronstein, David I2 gamesDuda,J2 gamesTal, Mihail2 gamesBeliavsky, Alexander G1 gamesBotvinnik, Mikhail1 games

Related Openings

E20 - Nimzo-Indian Defense566E21 - Nimzo-Indian Defense: Three Knights Variation467E22 - Nimzo-Indian Defense: Spielmann Variation38E23 - Nimzo-Indian Defense: Spielmann Variation, Romanovsky Gambit29E24 - Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation115E25 - Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation134E26 - Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation53E28 - Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation81E29 - Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation77

Best Games

Carlsen,M vs Karjakin,Sergey1-0
Saint Louis Blitz 2019 2019Notable
Beliavsky, Alexander G vs Ljubojevic, Ljubomir1/2-1/2
Linares 1990Notable
Botvinnik, Mikhail vs Tal, Mihail1/2-1/2
World Championship 23th 1960Notable
Carlsen,M vs Morozevich,A1-0
World Blitz 2009
Mamedyarov,S vs Eljanov,P1-0
Tal Memorial Blitz 2008
Mamedyarov,S vs Alekseev,Evgeny1-0
Tal Memorial Blitz 2008
Topalov,V vs Leko,P1/2-1/2
Sparkassen Final 2002
Bronstein, David I vs Geller, Efim P1-0
URS-ch28 1961
Duda,J vs George,Kevin1-0
Titled Tue 8th Apr Late 2025
Praggnanandhaa,R vs Kvaloy,Aksel Bu1-0
Fagernes GM Open Aut 2022 2022
Carlsen,M vs Yoo,Christopher Woojin1-0
Julius Baer GenCup Prelim 2022
Salem,AR vs Nakamura,Hi0-1
Titled Tue 9th Aug Early 2022
Abdusattorov,Nodirbek vs Madaminov,Mukhiddin1-0
President of UZB Prizes 2021
Semcesen,D vs Duda,J1/2-1/2
5th Lublin Union Mem GM 2013
Mamedyarov,S vs Naiditsch,A0-1
World Blitz 2009
Wiersma,E vs Timman,J0-1
7th Staunton Memorial GM 2009
Abergel,T vs Adams,Mi1/2-1/2
4th ch-EU 2008
Mamedyarov,S vs Fedorchuk,S1-0
XXIII Rapid Open 2008
Mamedyarov,S vs Eljanov,P1-0
Aeroflot Open 2006
Acs,P vs Beliavsky,A1/2-1/2
II Gyorgy Marx Mem 2004

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