E43

Nimzo-Indian Defense: St. Petersburg Variation

Key moves: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3

The Rubinstein System (4.e3) is the most solid approach to the Nimzo-Indian. White accepts the potential doubled pawns in exchange for the bishop pair and solid development.

History & Notable Players

One of the most important variations in chess theory. The Hübner, Fischer, and Keres variations all arise from this move order.

Best Games

Harikrishna,P vs Ivanchuk,V0-1
FIDE WCh KO • 2004★ Notable
Kamsky, Gata vs Ivanchuk, Vassily1/2-1/2
Amber-blind 4th • 1995★ Notable
Gelfand, Boris vs Adams, Michael1/2-1/2
Biel Interzonal • 1993★ Notable
Tal, Mihail vs Nogueiras, Jesus1-0
Wch-blitz • 1988★ Notable
Reshevsky, Samuel Herman vs Larsen, Bent1/2-1/2
Palma de Mallorca Interzonal • 1970★ Notable
Petrosian, Tigran V vs Keres, Paul1/2-1/2
Gothenburg Interzonal • 1955★ Notable
Botvinnik, Mikhail vs Bronstein, David I0-1
World Championship 19th • 1951★ Notable
Sarana,A vs Grischuk,A1/2-1/2
Grand Prix PlusCity Rapid • 2025
Lodici,Lorenzo vs Giri,A1-0
45th Olympiad 2024 • 2024
Nakamura,Hi vs Firouzja,Alireza1/2-1/2
SpeedChess Final 2024 • 2024
Abdusattorov,Nodirbek vs Caruana,F0-1
CCT Final Survival Winner • 2023
Sadler, Matthew vs Adams, Michael1-0
Tilburg Fontys • 1998
Jussupow, Artur vs Kengis, Edvins1/2-1/2
Tal mem • 1995
Gelfand, Boris vs De Firmian, Nick E1/2-1/2
Biel • 1995
Bareev, Evgeny vs Karpov, Anatoly1-0
Tilburg • 1994
Kortschnoj, Viktor vs Ivanchuk, Vassily1/2-1/2
Amber-rapid 2nd • 1993
Jussupow, Artur vs Ivanchuk, Vassily1-0
Candidats qf3 • 1991
Jussupow, Artur vs Timman, Jan H0-1
Candidats qf2 • 1986
Smyslov, Vassily vs Ribli, Zoltan1/2-1/2
Dortmund • 1986
Tal, Mihail vs Short, Nigel D1/2-1/2
Candidats Tournament • 1985

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