E53

Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric System

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

So,W vs Abdusattorov,Nodirbek0-1
Tata Steel India Rapid • 2022★ Notable
So,W vs Nakamura,Hi1/2-1/2
Saint Louis Rapid 2021 • 2021★ Notable
Grischuk,A vs Nakamura,Hi1/2-1/2
Saint Louis Blitz 2020 • 2020★ Notable
Aronian,L vs Caruana,F1/2-1/2
77th Tata Steel GpA • 2015★ Notable
Anand,V vs Topalov,V1/2-1/2
WCh • 2010★ Notable
Beliavsky, Alexander G vs Schauwecker, Meinrad1-0
WchT U26 prel-1 • 1976★ Notable
So,W vs Nakamura,Hi0-1
chess.com SpeedChess 2025 • 2025
Sevian,Samuel vs So,W1/2-1/2
12th Sinquefield Cup • 2025
Grischuk,A vs Dominguez Perez,L1-0
Titled Tue 23rd Apr Early • 2024
Nepomniachtchi,I vs Erigaisi,Arjun1-0
chess.com SpeedChess 2023 • 2023
Duda,J vs Caruana,F0-1
FIDE World Cup 2023 • 2023
Praggnanandhaa,R vs Le,Quang Liem1-0
Meltwater Tour Final 2022 • 2022
Firouzja,Alireza vs Duda,J1-0
FTX Crypto Cup 2022 • 2022
Praggnanandhaa,R vs Aronian,L1/2-1/2
FTX Crypto Cup 2022 • 2022
Le,Quang Liem vs Aronian,L1/2-1/2
FTX Crypto Cup 2022 • 2022
Le,Quang Liem vs Nakamura,Hi1/2-1/2
Chess.com RCC Wk23 Swiss • 2022
So,W vs Caruana,F1/2-1/2
GCT Blitz Paris 2021 • 2021
Caruana,F vs Nepomniachtchi,I1/2-1/2
GCT Rapid Paris 2021 • 2021
Duda,J vs Caruana,F1-0
chess.com Speed 2020 • 2020
Duda,J vs Caruana,F1/2-1/2
chess.com Speed 2020 • 2020

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