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: Classical Variation, Noa Variation (E35)
E35

Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Noa 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,S20 gamesBotvinnik, Mikhail11 gamesKarpov,Ana10 gamesCarlsen,M10 gamesShort,N7 gamesKarjakin,Sergey7 gamesAronian,L7 gamesIvanchuk,V7 gamesNavara,D7 gamesSo,W7 games

Related Openings

E30 - Nimzo-Indian Defense: Leningrad Variation87E31 - Nimzo-Indian Defense: Leningrad Variation, Benoni Defense64E32 - Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation1154E33 - Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Zurich Variation116E34 - Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Noa Variation212E36 - 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

Mamedyarov,S vs Aronian,L1/2-1/2
9th Sinquefield Cup 2022 2022Notable
Nakamura,Hi vs Le, Quang Liem1-0
Saint Louis Blitz 2021 2021Notable
Deac,Bogdan-Daniel vs Gelfand,B1/2-1/2
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 19 2020Notable
Tang,Andrew vs Karjakin,Sergey1-0
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 12 2020Notable
Duda,J vs Karjakin,Sergey1/2-1/2
43rd Olympiad 2018 2018Notable
Nepomniachtchi,I vs Karjakin,Sergey1/2-1/2
9th London Classic 2017 2017Notable
Radjabov,T vs Grischuk,A1/2-1/2
FIDE Candidates 2013Notable
Morozevich,A vs Carlsen,M1/2-1/2
7th Mikhail Tal Memorial 2012Notable
Bareev,E vs Carlsen,M1/2-1/2
WCC 2005Notable
Arab,A vs Ivanchuk,V0-1
FIDE WCh KO 2004Notable
Barsov,A vs Beliavsky,A1/2-1/2
FIDE WCh KO 2004Notable
Karpov, Anatoly vs Ljubojevic, Ljubomir1-0
Amber-rapid 7th 1998Notable
Karpov, Anatoly vs Polgar, Judit1-0
Amber-rapid 4th 1995Notable
Kasparov, Gary vs Short, Nigel D1/2-1/2
PCA-World Championship 1993Notable
Kasparov, Gary vs Short, Nigel D1-0
PCA-World Championship 1993Notable
Kasparov, Gary vs Spassky, Boris V1-0
Linares 1990Notable
Petrosian, Tigran V vs Botvinnik, Mikhail0-1
World Championship 25th 1963Notable
Alekhine, Alexander vs Bogoljubow, Efim1/2-1/2
World Championship 15th 1934Notable
Erigaisi,Arjun vs Leko,P1-0
FIDE World Cup 2025 2025
Mamedyarov,S vs Duda,J1/2-1/2
Aimchess Rapid KO 2022

Explore More

All OpeningsAll Players