E22

Nimzo-Indian Defense: Spielmann 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.

Best Games

Alekhine, Alexander vs Bogoljubow, Efim1-0
World Championship 14th • 1929★ Notable
Bogoljubow, Efim vs Alekhine, Alexander1-0
World Championship 14th • 1929★ Notable
Christiansen, Larry Mark vs Ljubojevic, Ljubomir1/2-1/2
Amber-rapid 2nd • 1993
Capablanca, Jose Raul vs Euwe, Max1/2-1/2
Amsterdam m3 • 1931
Rubinstein, Akiba vs Nimzowitsch, Aaron1-0
Bad Kissingen • 1928
Gavilan Diaz,M vs Navara,D0-1
Titled Tue 31st Dec Early • 2024
Firouzja,Alireza vs Ranaldi,Lucas1-0
Titled Tue 14th May Late • 2024
Suder,Jakub vs Kamsky,G0-1
Titled Tue 11th Apr Late • 2023
Yoo,Christopher Woojin vs Keymer,Vincent0-1
Titled Tue 28th Jun Late • 2022
Schloetzer,W vs Navara,D0-1
16th ORDIX Open • 2009
Giffard,N vs Korchnoi,V1/2-1/2
9th Open • 2006
Christiansen, Larry Mark vs Karpov, Anatoly1-0
Wijk m rapid • 1993
Piket, Jeroen vs Karpov, Anatoly1/2-1/2
Roquebrune rapid • 1992
Eliskases, Erich Gottlieb vs Fischer, Robert James1-0
Buenos Aires • 1960
Larsen, Bent vs Golombek, Harry1-0
Moscow olm fin-A • 1956
Bronstein, David I vs Boleslavsky, Isaak1/2-1/2
Candidats Tournament • 1953
Euwe, Max vs Kramer, Haije1-0
Hoogovens • 1950
Euwe, Max vs Donner, Jan Hein1/2-1/2
The Hague m • 1950
Euwe, Max vs Szabo, Laszlo0-1
Hastings4950 • 1949
Smyslov, Vassily vs Romanovsky, Peter Arsenievich1-0
URS-ch14 • 1945

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