E50

Nimzo-Indian Defense

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

Gelfand, Boris vs Ivanchuk, Vassily1/2-1/2
Linares • 1994★ Notable
Penrose, Jonathan vs Larsen, Bent1/2-1/2
Wch U20 fin-B • 1953★ Notable
Praggnanandhaa,R vs Le,Quang Liem1-0
Meltwater Tour Final 2022 • 2022
So,W vs Aronian,L1/2-1/2
American Cup Blitz 2022 • 2022
Studer,N vs Keymer,Vincent0-1
54th Biel GM 2021 • 2021
Studer,N vs Gelfand,B0-1
54th Biel GM Rapid 2021 • 2021
Ding Liren vs Aronian,L1/2-1/2
11th London Classic 2019 • 2019
Ponomariov,R vs Kasparov,G1/2-1/2
XX SuperGM • 2003
Timman, Jan H vs Gelfand, Boris1/2-1/2
Alekhine mem • 1992
Timman, Jan H vs Keres, Paul0-1
IBM • 1971
Geller, Efim P vs Smyslov, Vassily1-0
Candidats qf4 • 1965
Geller, Efim P vs Petrosian, Tigran V1/2-1/2
Candidats Tournament • 1953
Carlsen,M vs Daneshvar,Bardiya1-0
Titled Tue 1st Apr Early • 2025
Narayanan,SL vs Duda,J0-1
FIDE World Bl Team Final • 2024
Rakhmanov,Ale vs Keymer,Vincent1-0
World Blitz 2023 • 2023
Mijnheer,P vs Timman,J1-0
FishPartners Open 2023 • 2023
Robson,R vs Caruana,F1/2-1/2
American Cup Champ • 2023
Johansson,Linus vs Praggnanandhaa,R0-1
Fagernes GM Open Aut 2022 • 2022
Robson,R vs So,W1-0
ch-USA 2022 • 2022
So,W vs Martinez Alcantara,Jose Eduardo1/2-1/2
Titled Tue 21st Jun Early • 2022

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