E51

Nimzo-Indian Defense: Ragozin 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

Le,Quang Liem vs Navara,D0-1
56th Biel GM Blitz 2023 • 2023★ Notable
Keymer,Vincent vs Gukesh,D1/2-1/2
85th Tata Steel Masters • 2023★ Notable
Aronian,L vs Carlsen,M1/2-1/2
8th Norway Chess 2020 • 2020★ Notable
Karjakin,Sergey vs So,W1-0
FIDE Candidates 2018 • 2018★ Notable
Kramnik,V vs Morozevich,A1-0
Amber Blindfold • 2008★ Notable
Botvinnik, Mikhail vs Tal, Mihail1-0
World Championship 24th • 1961★ Notable
Botvinnik, Mikhail vs Tal, Mihail1-0
World Championship 24th • 1961★ Notable
Botvinnik, Mikhail vs Tal, Mihail1/2-1/2
World Championship 24th • 1961★ Notable
Botvinnik, Mikhail vs Reshevsky, Samuel Herman1-0
World Championship 18th • 1948★ Notable
Steinitz, William vs Gunsberg, Isidor1-0
World Championship 3rd • 1890★ Notable
So,W vs Caruana,F0-1
Champions Showdown Kings • 2025
Carlsen,M vs Nepomniachtchi,I1-0
Titled Tue 19th Nov Early • 2024
Nakamura,Hi vs Firouzja,Alireza0-1
Bullet Chess Winners 2024 • 2024
Keymer,Vincent vs Aronian,L0-1
Chessable Masters Div 2 W • 2024
Vidit,S vs Abdusattorov,Nodirbek1-0
86th Tata Steel Masters • 2024
Le,Quang Liem vs Ponomariov,R1/2-1/2
FIDE World Cup 2023 • 2023
Keymer,Vincent vs Caruana,F1-0
World Rapid 2022 • 2022
Carlsen,M vs Gukesh,D1-0
chess.com SpeedChess 2022 • 2022
Carlsen,M vs Gukesh,D1-0
chess.com SpeedChess 2022 • 2022
Ivanchuk,V vs Le,Quang Liem0-1
Julius Baer GenCup Prelim • 2022

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