E28

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

Nepomniachtchi,I vs Giri,A1-0
11th Sinquefield Cup • 2024★ Notable
Ding Liren vs Nepomniachtchi,I1/2-1/2
WCh 2023 • 2023★ Notable
Botvinnik, Mikhail vs Keres, Paul1-0
World Championship 18th • 1948★ Notable
Hakobyan,Aram vs Navara,D1-0
58th Biel GM2 Blitz 2025 • 2025
Nepomniachtchi,I vs Gelfand,B1-0
World Rapid 2024 • 2024
Caruana,F vs Carlsen,M1/2-1/2
Titled Tue 5th Nov Early • 2024
Caruana,F vs Firouzja,Alireza0-1
chess.com SpeedChess 2024 • 2024
Caruana,F vs Carlsen,M1/2-1/2
chess.com SpeedChess 2022 • 2022
Grischuk,A vs Caruana,F1-0
Chess.com Rapid Wk9 Swiss • 2022
Gomez,Joh vs Ponomariov,R0-1
41st Olympiad Open 2014 • 2014
Geller, Efim P vs Euwe, Max0-1
Candidats Tournament • 1953
Keres, Paul vs Reshevsky, Samuel Herman1/2-1/2
Candidats Tournament • 1953
Euwe, Max vs Reshevsky, Samuel Herman0-1
Candidats Tournament • 1953
Nepomniachtchi,I vs Kosakowski,Jakub1/2-1/2
Titled Tue 25th Nov 2025 • 2025
Aronian,L vs Niemann,Hans Moke1/2-1/2
ch-USA 2025 • 2025
Nepomniachtchi,I vs Niemann,Hans Moke0-1
Titled Tue 30th Sep 2025 • 2025
Klimkowski,Jan vs Ponomariov,R1/2-1/2
Bundesliga 2025-26 • 2025
Caruana,F vs Sarana,A1-0
Titled Tue 29th Jul Late • 2025
Nepomniachtchi,I vs Esipenko,Andrey0-1
Titled Tue 11th Mar Late • 2025
Carlsen,M vs Mladenovic,St1-0
Titled Tue 4th Mar Late • 2025

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