E48

Nimzo-Indian Defense: Ragozin Defense

Key moves: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3

The Rubinstein System (4.e3) is the most solid approach to the Nimzo-Indian. White accepts the potential doubled pawns in exchange for the bishop pair and solid development.

History & Notable Players

One of the most important variations in chess theory. The Hübner, Fischer, and Keres variations all arise from this move order.

Best Games

Praggnanandhaa,R vs Gukesh,D1-0
12th Sinquefield Cup • 2025★ Notable
So,W vs Caruana,F1/2-1/2
11th Sinquefield Cup • 2024★ Notable
Caruana,F vs Praggnanandhaa,R1/2-1/2
12th Norway Chess 2024 • 2024★ Notable
Navara,D vs Keymer,Vincent1/2-1/2
56th Biel GM Blitz 2023 • 2023★ Notable
Ding Liren vs Radjabov,T0-1
FIDE Candidates 2022 • 2022★ Notable
Grischuk,A vs Dominguez Perez,L1/2-1/2
Saint Louis Blitz 2020 • 2020★ Notable
Carlsen,M vs Karjakin,Sergey1-0
5th Norway Chess 2017 • 2017★ Notable
Nakamura,Hi vs Gelfand,B0-1
20th Amber Rapid • 2011★ Notable
Mkrtchian,L vs Hou Yifan0-1
1st WCh-Team Women • 2007★ Notable
Gelfand,B vs Topalov,V1/2-1/2
Amber Blindfold • 2006★ Notable
Delchev,A vs Topalov,V0-1
FIDE WCh KO • 2004★ Notable
Kamsky, Gata vs Karpov, Anatoly0-1
FIDE-Wch • 1996★ Notable
Kamsky, Gata vs Beliavsky, Alexander G1-0
Linares • 1994★ Notable
Kamsky, Gata vs Short, Nigel D1-0
PCA-Wch Candidats sf1 • 1994★ Notable
Gurevich, Dmitry vs Tal, Mihail1/2-1/2
Wch-blitz • 1988★ Notable
Gurevich, Dmitry vs Tal, Mihail0-1
Wch-blitz • 1988★ Notable
Petrosian, Tigran V vs Spassky, Boris V1-0
World Championship 27th • 1969★ Notable
Schweber, Samuel vs Portisch, Lajos0-1
Wch U20 final-A • 1955★ Notable
So,W vs Keymer,Vincent1/2-1/2
chess.com SpeedChess 2025 • 2025
So,W vs Giri,A1-0
SuperUnited CRO Rapid 2025 • 2025

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