E58

Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Bernstein Defense, Exchange Line

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

Lautier, Joel vs Gelfand, Boris1/2-1/2
FIDE-Wch k.o. • 1997★ Notable
Lin Weiguo vs Ivanchuk, Vassily1-0
Wch U20 • 1988★ Notable
Carlsen,M vs Radjabov,T1/2-1/2
Opera Euro Rapid Prelim • 2021
Wang Hao vs Hou Yifan1-0
75th Tata Steel GpA • 2013
Nakamura,Hi vs Ponomariov,R0-1
39th GM • 2011
Kasimdzhanov,R vs Alekseev,Evgeny0-1
FIDE Grand Prix • 2008
Socko,M vs Hou Yifan1/2-1/2
38th Olympiad w • 2008
Kasimdzhanov,R vs Ivanchuk,V1-0
1st Samba Cup • 2003
Lautier, Joel vs Kramnik, Vladimir1/2-1/2
Amber-rapid 7th • 1998
Lautier, Joel vs Kramnik, Vladimir0-1
Tilburg Fontys • 1997
Lautier, Joel vs Kramnik, Vladimir1-0
Amber-blind 6th • 1997
Gelfand, Boris vs Beliavsky, Alexander G0-1
Munich SKA • 1994
Portisch, Lajos vs Beliavsky, Alexander G0-1
OHRA-A • 1990
Portisch, Lajos vs Rubinetti, Jorge A1-0
Palma de Mallorca Interzonal • 1970
Geller, Efim P vs Petrosian, Tigran V1-0
Candidats Tournament • 1956
Geller, Efim P vs Sliwa, Bogdan1-0
Gothenburg Interzonal • 1955
Bronstein, David I vs Sliwa, Bogdan1-0
Gothenburg Interzonal • 1955
Reshevsky, Samuel Herman vs Najdorf, Miguel1/2-1/2
Buenos Aires m • 1953
Najdorf, Miguel vs Reshevsky, Samuel Herman1/2-1/2
Buenos Aires m • 1953
Smyslov, Vassily vs Petrosian, Tigran V1/2-1/2
Candidats Tournament • 1953

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