E52

Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Schlechter 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

Beliavsky,A vs Navara,D1/2-1/2
42nd Olympiad 2016 • 2016★ Notable
Topalov,V vs Giri,A1/2-1/2
20th Amber Rapid • 2011★ Notable
Kramnik,V vs Morozevich,A1-0
Tal Memorial Blitz • 2008★ Notable
Gelfand,B vs Ljubojevic,L1-0
Amber Blindfold • 2002★ Notable
Radjabov,T vs Ehlvest,J1/2-1/2
FIDE WCh KO • 2001★ Notable
Ivanchuk, Vassily vs Kamsky, Gata1-0
Tilburg rapid • 1992★ Notable
Jussupow, Artur vs Timman, Jan H1/2-1/2
Linares • 1991★ Notable
Smyslov, Vassily vs Short, Nigel D1/2-1/2
Dortmund • 1986★ Notable
Caruana,F vs Navara,D0-1
7th Gashimov Mem Rapid • 2021
Navara,D vs Georgiadis,N1/2-1/2
51st Biel GM 2018 • 2018
Mamedyarov,S vs Carlsen,M1/2-1/2
World Rapid 2015 • 2015
Dale,Ari vs Navara,D0-1
77th Tata Steel GpB • 2015
Dale,Ari vs Wei Yi1/2-1/2
77th Tata Steel GpB • 2015
Topalov,V vs Ponomariov,R1/2-1/2
Renova FIDE GP Zug • 2013
L'Ami,E vs Karjakin,Sergey1/2-1/2
75th Tata Steel GpA • 2013
Ivanchuk,V vs Wang Hao1-0
40th Olympiad Open • 2012
Shirov,A vs Giri,A1-0
Unive Crown Group • 2010
Adly,A vs Carlsen,M0-1
38th Olympiad • 2008
Korchnoi,V vs Timman,J1/2-1/2
Cogas Rapid Match • 2006
Korchnoi,V vs Timman,J1/2-1/2
Cogas Rapid Match • 2006

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