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.

Best Games

Timman, Jan H vs Polugaevsky, Lev1/2-1/2
Linares • 1985★ Notable
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
Timman, Jan H vs Romanishin, Oleg M1/2-1/2
Tilburg • 1985
Miles, Anthony J vs Polugaevsky, Lev1-0
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

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