E30

Nimzo-Indian Defense: Leningrad 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

Mititelu, Gheorghe vs Larsen, Bent1/2-1/2
WchT U26 • 1957★ Notable
Spassky, Boris V vs Portisch, Lajos1-0
Wch U20 final-A • 1955★ Notable
Portisch, Lajos vs Donia, M.1-0
Wch U20 prel-B • 1955★ Notable
Georgiev,Vl vs Leko,P0-1
40th Olympiad Open • 2012
Jussupow, Artur vs Adams, Michael1/2-1/2
Garmisch • 1994
Timman, Jan H vs Jussupow, Artur1/2-1/2
KRO m • 1986
Timman, Jan H vs Karpov, Anatoly1/2-1/2
Amsterdam • 1976
Spassky, Boris V vs Tal, Mihail0-1
Tallinn • 1973
Spassky, Boris V vs Timman, Jan H1/2-1/2
Tallinn • 1973
Euwe, Max vs Fischer, Robert James1-0
New York m3 • 1957
Caruana,F vs Bharath,Subramaniyam H1-0
Julius Baer Gen Cup D3 W • 2024
Caruana,F vs Zhu,Linxi1-0
Titled Tue 7th May Late • 2024
Kretov,E vs Kamsky,G0-1
Titled Tuesday 8th June • 2021
Sarkar,J vs Keymer,Vincent0-1
Titled Tuesday 5th May • 2020
Kretov,E vs Morozevich,A0-1
TCh-RUS Rapid 2018 • 2018
Ivanchuk,V vs Wojtaszek,R1-0
IMSA Blitz 2016 • 2016
Ivanchuk,V vs Wang Yue1/2-1/2
SportAccord Basque 2014 • 2014
Kretov,E vs Karjakin,Sergey0-1
Moscow Blitz Final 2014 • 2014
Batchimeg,Tuvshintugs vs Hou Yifan0-1
4th WGP 2014 • 2014
Rapport,R vs Shengelia,D1-0
2nd Danube Rapid Cup 2013 • 2013

Explore More

All OpeningsAll Players