Forever Chess GamesForever Chess Games Logo
CreateGiftsProductsGamesPlayersOpeningsTop 100FAQ

Explore

  • Players
  • Openings
  • Famous Games
  • Top 100 Games
  • World Championships

Create

  • Create Visualisation
  • How It Works
  • Gift Ideas

Eras

  • 1880s – Classical
  • 1960s – Fischer Era
  • 1990s – Kasparov Era
  • 2020s – Modern

Info

  • FAQ
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of Use

© 2026 Forever Chess Games. All Rights Reserved

  1. Home
  2. /Openings
  3. /Nimzo-Indian Defense: Leningrad Variation, Benoni Defense (E31)
E31

Nimzo-Indian Defense: Leningrad Variation, Benoni 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.

Top Players in this Opening

Timman, Jan H16 gamesSpassky, Boris V15 gamesPortisch, Lajos7 gamesJussupow, Artur6 gamesKeres, Paul5 gamesPolugaevsky, Lev4 gamesKarpov, Anatoly3 gamesSmyslov, Vassily2 gamesIvanchuk,V1 gamesMorozevich,A1 games

Related Openings

E30 - Nimzo-Indian Defense: Leningrad Variation87E32 - Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation1154E33 - Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Zurich Variation116E34 - Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Noa Variation212E35 - Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Noa Variation208E36 - Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Noa Variation111E37 - Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Noa Variation92E38 - Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Berlin Variation141E39 - Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Berlin Variation, Macieja System219

Best Games

Timman, Jan H vs Polugaevsky, Lev1/2-1/2
Linares 1985Notable
Spassky,B vs Short,N1-0
Korchnoi Birthday KO 2001
Ivanchuk,V vs Topalov,V1/2-1/2
Corus 2001
Jussupow, Artur vs Karpov, Anatoly0-1
Hofmann Cup 1995
Jussupow, Artur vs Short, Nigel D0-1
Novgorod 1995
Miles, Anthony J vs Karpov, Anatoly1/2-1/2
Tilburg 1986
Miles, Anthony J vs Polugaevsky, Lev1-0
Tilburg 1985
Timman, Jan H vs Romanishin, Oleg M1/2-1/2
Tilburg 1985
Timman, Jan H vs Andersson, Ulf1/2-1/2
Tilburg 1977
Timman, Jan H vs Najdorf, Miguel0-1
Reykjavik 1976
Timman, Jan H vs Smyslov, Vassily1/2-1/2
Teeside 1975
Spassky, Boris V vs Larsen, Bent1/2-1/2
Belgrade URS-World 1970
Spassky, Boris V vs Keres, Paul1-0
Candidats qf3 1965
Spassky, Boris V vs Porath, Yosef1-0
Amsterdam Interzonal 1964
Spassky, Boris V vs Keres, Paul1-0
URS-ch24 1957
Spassky, Boris V vs Filip, Miroslav1-0
Gothenburg Interzonal 1955
Spassky, Boris V vs Smyslov, Vassily1-0
Bucharest 1953
Morozevich,A vs Oparin,G1/2-1/2
Nutcracker Rapid 2016 2016
Navrotescu,C vs Jussupow,Ar0-1
32nd Cappelle Open 2016 2016
Ponomariov,R vs Meier,Geo1/2-1/2
39th GM 2011

Explore More

All OpeningsAll Players