E26

Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch 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

Caruana,F vs So,W1/2-1/2
Saint Louis Blitz 2024 • 2024★ Notable
Svidler,P vs Aronian,L1-0
FIDE Candidates • 2013★ Notable
Radjabov,T vs Anand,V0-1
Amber Rapid • 2007★ Notable
Mamedyarov,S vs Rapport,R1-0
TechM GCL 2025 • 2025
Duda,J vs Le,Quang Liem0-1
Titled Tue 23rd Sep 2025 • 2025
Firouzja,Alireza vs Praggnanandhaa,R0-1
Superbet POL Blitz 2025 • 2025
Abdusattorov,Nodirbek vs Keymer,Vincent0-1
Aimchess Rapid Prelim • 2022
Carlsen,M vs Anand,V1/2-1/2
Legends of Chess Prelim • 2020
Carlsen,M vs Giri,A1-0
Chessable Masters Final 8 • 2020
Spassky, Boris V vs Tal, Mihail0-1
URS-ch25 • 1958
Geller, Efim P vs Smyslov, Vassily0-1
Candidats Tournament • 1956
Geller, Efim P vs Spassky, Boris V0-1
URS-ch22 • 1955
Botvinnik, Mikhail vs Keres, Paul1/2-1/2
URS-ch19 • 1951
Bronstein, David I vs Smyslov, Vassily1-0
Candidats Tournament • 1950
Duda,J vs Klimkowski,Jan0-1
Titled Tue 9th Dec 2025 • 2025
Duda,J vs Vetokhin,Savva1-0
1st 3-0 Thu 4th Dec 2025 • 2025
Duda,J vs Aravindh,Chithambaram VR.1-0
Chessable Play-In Match • 2025
Abdusattorov,Nodirbek vs Karthikeyan,M21/2-1/2
3rd President of UZB 2024 • 2024
Praggnanandhaa,R vs Bologan,V1-0
WR Chess Masters 2024 • 2024
Mamedyarov,S vs Yakubboev,Nodirbek1/2-1/2
UzChess Cup Masters 2024 • 2024

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