E39

Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Berlin Variation, Macieja System

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

Erigaisi,Arjun vs Aronian,L1/2-1/2
85th Tata Steel Masters • 2023★ Notable
Nakamura,Hi vs Aronian,L1-0
Tata Steel India Blitz • 2019★ Notable
Morozevich,A vs Ponomariov,R0-1
Tal Memorial Blitz • 2008★ Notable
Morozevich,A vs Karpov,Ana1-0
Tal Memorial Blitz • 2008★ Notable
Morozevich,A vs Leko,P1/2-1/2
Tal Memorial Blitz • 2008★ Notable
Carlsen,M vs Leko,P1/2-1/2
Tal Memorial Blitz • 2008★ Notable
Karpov,An vs Gelfand,B0-1
Amber Blindfold • 2000★ Notable
Shipov, Sergei vs Ivanchuk, Vassily0-1
FIDE-Wch k.o. • 1999★ Notable
Kasparov, Gary vs Kramnik, Vladimir1/2-1/2
Tilburg Fontys • 1997★ Notable
Leitao, Rafael vs Kasimdzhanov, Rustam1/2-1/2
Wch U16 • 1995★ Notable
Petrosian, Tigran V vs Larsen, Bent1/2-1/2
Tilburg • 1981★ Notable
Erigaisi,Arjun vs Nepomniachtchi,I0-1
Chess.com Classic Winners • 2025
Erigaisi,Arjun vs Nepomniachtchi,I1/2-1/2
Chess.com Classic Winners • 2025
So,W vs Nepomniachtchi,I1/2-1/2
World Blitz Final KO 2024 • 2024
So,W vs Nepomniachtchi,I1/2-1/2
World Blitz Final KO 2024 • 2024
Mamedyarov,S vs Nepomniachtchi,I0-1
Levitov Chess Week Rapid • 2023
Erigaisi,Arjun vs Nepomniachtchi,I0-1
chess.com SpeedChess 2023 • 2023
Mamedyarov,S vs Firouzja,Alireza1/2-1/2
Superbet Classic 2022 • 2022
Shankland,S vs Caruana,F1-0
Saint Louis Rapid 2021 • 2021
Abdusattorov,Nodirbek vs Aronian,L1-0
San Fermin Masters Final • 2021

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