E37
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
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 Variation212E35 - Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Noa Variation208E36 - Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Noa Variation111E38 - Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Berlin Variation141E39 - Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Berlin Variation, Macieja System219
Best Games
So,W vs Karjakin,Sergey1/2-1/2
FIDE Candidates 2018 • 2018★ Notable
Mamedyarov,S vs So,W1/2-1/2
FIDE Candidates 2018 • 2018★ Notable
Giri,A vs Adams,Mi1/2-1/2
7th London Classic 2015 • 2015★ Notable
Nakamura,Hi vs Karjakin,Sergey1/2-1/2
76th Tata Steel Masters • 2014★ Notable
Zhu Chen vs Hou Yifan1-0
WCh Women • 2010★ Notable
Morozevich,A vs Karjakin,Sergey0-1
18th Amber Rapid • 2009★ Notable
Ivanchuk,V vs Anand,V1-0
Amber Blindfold • 2007★ Notable
Bareev,E vs Carlsen,M1/2-1/2
WCC • 2005★ Notable
Ivanchuk,V vs Topalov,V1/2-1/2
Amber Rapidplay • 2001★ Notable
Kramnik, Vladimir vs Adams, Michael1/2-1/2
FIDE-Wch k.o. • 1999★ Notable
Kramnik, Vladimir vs Anand, Viswanathan1/2-1/2
Dortmunder Schachtage • 1999★ Notable
Kramnik, Vladimir vs Gelfand, Boris1/2-1/2
Amber Rapidplay • 1999★ Notable
So,W vs Carlsen,M1/2-1/2
CrunchLab Masters Div 1 L • 2024
So,W vs Carlsen,M1/2-1/2
CCT Final KO 2023 • 2023
Shankland,S vs Aronian,L0-1
Saint Louis Blitz 2022 • 2022
So,W vs Duda,J1/2-1/2
chess.com Speed 2020 • 2020
Mamedyarov,S vs Karjakin,Sergey1/2-1/2
Superbet Rapid 2019 • 2019
Mamedyarov,S vs Karjakin,Sergey1/2-1/2
GCT Rapid YourNextMove • 2018
Mamedyarov,S vs Karjakin,Sergey1/2-1/2
Vugar Gashimov Mem 2018 • 2018
Morozevich,A vs Harikrishna,P1/2-1/2
50th Biel GM 2017 • 2017