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  3. /Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Bernstein Defense (E59)
E59

Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Bernstein Defense

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

Spassky, Boris V18 gamesNajdorf, Miguel13 gamesReshevsky, Samuel Herman11 gamesPortisch, Lajos10 gamesEuwe, Max9 gamesGeller, Efim P7 gamesJussupow, Artur6 gamesBeliavsky, Alexander G6 gamesBeliavsky,A5 gamesBronstein, David I4 games

Related Openings

E50 - Nimzo-Indian Defense57E51 - Nimzo-Indian Defense: Ragozin Variation177E52 - Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Schlechter Defense146E53 - Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric System176E54 - Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric System, Smyslov Variation273E55 - Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric System, Bronstein Variation199E56 - Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric System, Bernstein Defense91E57 - E5732E58 - Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Bernstein Defense, Exchange Line82

Best Games

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Petrosian, Tigran V vs Spassky, Boris V1-0
World Championship 26th 1966Notable
Schweber, Samuel vs Spassky, Boris V0-1
Wch U20 final-A 1955Notable
Jorgensen, Vagn Rauhe vs Spassky, Boris V0-1
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Chess.com Rapid Wk8 Swiss 2022
Grischuk,A vs Esipenko,Andrey1/2-1/2
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Ponomariov,R vs L'Ami,E1/2-1/2
73rd Tata Steel GMA 2011
Kramnik,V vs Tiviakov,S1-0
Corus 2001
Khalifman,A vs Kramnik,V0-1
SuperGM 2000
Ivanchuk, Vassily vs Tiviakov, Sergei1-0
Linares 1995
Jussupow, Artur vs Ehlvest, Jaan1/2-1/2
Tal mem 1995
Jussupow, Artur vs Beliavsky, Alexander G0-1
Munich SKA 1994
Jussupow, Artur vs Beliavsky, Alexander G1/2-1/2
Groningen 1994
Portisch, Lajos vs Braga, Fernando1-0
Reggio Emilia9293 1992
Jussupow, Artur vs Ljubojevic, Ljubomir1-0
Belgrade Invest 1991
Jussupow, Artur vs Ivanchuk, Vassily1-0
Candidats qf3 1991
Smyslov, Vassily vs Van Riemsdijk, Herman C0-1
Manila Interzonal 1990
Portisch, Lajos vs Miles, Anthony J1/2-1/2
Tilburg 1981

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