E38

Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Berlin 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

Beliavsky,A vs Anastasian,A1-0
FIDE WCh KO • 2004★ Notable
Sundar Rajan, Kidambi vs Aronian, Levon0-1
Wch U20 • 1999★ Notable
Khalifman, Alexander vs Akopian, Vladimir1/2-1/2
FIDE-Wch k.o. • 1999★ Notable
Bogoljubow, Efim vs Alekhine, Alexander1-0
World Championship 14th • 1929★ Notable
So,W vs Ivanchuk,V1-0
CGC KO 2022 • 2022
Xiong,Jeffery vs Rapport,R1/2-1/2
8th Sinquefield Cup 2021 • 2021
So,W vs Duda,J1-0
chess.com Speed 2020 • 2020
Mamedyarov,S vs Kamsky,G1/2-1/2
SportAccord Blitz Men 2013 • 2013
Beliavsky,A vs Portisch,L1/2-1/2
King's Tournament • 2008
Ljubojevic,L vs Portisch,L1-0
Corus Honorory • 2008
Karpov,Ana vs Portisch,L1/2-1/2
Gligoric 83rd g/20 Match • 2006
Carlsen,M vs Ibraev,N1-0
36th Olympiad • 2004
Beliavsky,A vs Aronian,L0-1
Bundesliga 2002-3 • 2003
Korchnoi,V vs Kotsur,P1-0
Olympiad • 2002
Shirov,A vs Bauer,Ch1-0
34th Olympiad • 2000
Beliavsky, Alexander G vs Short, Nigel D1-0
Torneo Magistral 6th • 1997
Polgar, Zsuzsa vs Portisch, Lajos1-0
Veterans-Women • 1994
Gurevich, Mikhail vs Timman, Jan H0-1
Linares • 1991
Shirov, Alexei vs Lautier, Joel1-0
Biel • 1991
Reshevsky, Samuel Herman vs Smyslov, Vassily0-1
Moscow rapid • 1991

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