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  3. /Nimzo-Indian Defense: St. Petersburg Variation (E44)
E44

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.

Top Players in this Opening

Navara,D8 gamesErigaisi,Arjun8 gamesReshevsky, Samuel Herman7 gamesShort,N7 gamesAdams, Michael7 gamesShirov, Alexei6 gamesCaruana,F6 gamesBronstein, David I4 gamesBotvinnik, Mikhail4 gamesRubinstein, Akiba4 games

Related Openings

E40 - Nimzo-Indian Defense: Rubinstein System76E41 - Nimzo-Indian Defense: Rubinstein System152E42 - Nimzo-Indian Defense: Rubinstein System, Rubinstein Variation202E43 - Nimzo-Indian Defense: St. Petersburg Variation214E45 - Nimzo-Indian Defense: St. Petersburg Variation, Fischer Variation102E46 - Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation464E47 - Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation131E48 - Nimzo-Indian Defense: Ragozin Defense283E49 - Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Botvinnik System174

Best Games

So,W vs Erigaisi,Arjun1-0
Tata Steel India Blitz 2024Notable
Erigaisi,Arjun vs Rapport,R0-1
85th Tata Steel Masters 2023Notable
Chiburdanidze, Maia vs Adams, Michael0-1
WchT 4th 1997Notable
Botvinnik, Mikhail vs Bronstein, David I1/2-1/2
World Championship 19th 1951Notable
Peralta,Fe vs Caruana,F0-1
45th Olympiad 2024 2024
Elbilia,J vs Erigaisi,Arjun0-1
45th Olympiad 2024 2024
Tomashevsky,E vs Caruana,F1-0
78th Tata Steel GpA 2016
Spoelman,W vs So,W0-1
73rd Tata Steel GMB 2011
Nakamura,Hi vs Short,N1/2-1/2
Chess Classic 2009
Kasparov,G vs Kramnik,V0-1
Botvinnik Mem Rapid Match 2001
Jussupow, Artur vs Short, Nigel D1/2-1/2
Bundesliga 9899 1998
Shaked, Tal vs Adams, Michael0-1
Tilburg Fontys 1997
Shirov, Alexei vs Sutovskij, Emil1/2-1/2
Tilburg Fontys 1996
Shirov, Alexei vs Adams, Michael1-0
Leon 1995
Shirov, Alexei vs Adams, Michael1-0
Las Palmas 1994
Speelman, Jonathan S vs Kortschnoj, Viktor1/2-1/2
Biel Interzonal 1993
Shirov, Alexei vs De Firmian, Nick E1/2-1/2
Tilburg 1993
Geller, Efim P vs Spassky, Boris V1/2-1/2
Candidats sf2 1965
Bronstein, David I vs Spassky, Boris V1/2-1/2
URS-ch29 1961
Euwe, Max vs Capablanca, Jose Raul1/2-1/2
Amsterdam m3 1931

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