E21
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Three Knights Variation
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
Related Openings
E20 - Nimzo-Indian Defense566E22 - Nimzo-Indian Defense: Spielmann Variation38E23 - Nimzo-Indian Defense: Spielmann Variation, Romanovsky Gambit29E24 - Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation115E25 - Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation134E26 - Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation53E27 - Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation36E28 - Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation81E29 - Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation77
Best Games
Caruana,F vs Firouzja,Alireza1-0
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Gukesh,D vs So,W1/2-1/2
11th Sinquefield Cup 2024Notable
Aronian,L vs Caruana,F1-0
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86th Tata Steel Masters 2024Notable
Aronian,L vs Firouzja,Alireza1-0
10th Sinquefield Cup 2023Notable
Le,Quang Liem vs Keymer,Vincent0-1
55th Biel GM Blitz 2022 2022Notable
Rapport,R vs Karjakin,Sergey1-0
9th Norway Chess 2021 2021Notable
Mamedyarov,S vs Le, Quang Liem1/2-1/2
Saint Louis Blitz 2021 2021Notable
Bernadskiy,V vs Le Quang Liem0-1
PNWCC Masters WOO 2020 2020Notable
Carlsen,M vs So,W1/2-1/2
Tata Steel India Blitz 2019Notable
Caruana,F vs Karjakin,Sergey1-0
Saint Louis Rapid 2017 2017Notable
Mamedyarov,S vs Adams,Mi1-0
Moscow Grand Prix 2017 2017Notable
Mamedyarov,S vs Adams,Mi1-0
78th Tata Steel GpA 2016Notable
Caruana,F vs Adams,Mi1-0
78th Tata Steel GpA 2016Notable
Caruana,F vs Radjabov,T1/2-1/2
77th Tata Steel GpA 2015Notable
Carlsen,M vs Topalov,V1/2-1/2
2nd Sinquefield Cup 2014 2014Notable
Topalov,V vs Kramnik,V1-0
2nd Norway Chess 2014 2014Notable
Rapport,R vs Timman,J1-0
75th Tata Steel GpB 2013Notable
Carlsen,M vs Adams,Mi1-0
3rd London Chess Classic 2011Notable