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  3. /Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric System, Smyslov Variation (E54)
E54

Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric System, Smyslov 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.

Top Players in this Opening

Portisch, Lajos26 gamesKarpov, Anatoly20 gamesSmyslov, Vassily17 gamesPolugaevsky, Lev14 gamesCaruana,F13 gamesNajdorf, Miguel11 gamesGeller, Efim P10 gamesGelfand,B10 gamesPetrosian, Tigran V9 gamesDominguez Perez,L8 games

Related Openings

E50 - Nimzo-Indian Defense57E51 - Nimzo-Indian Defense: Ragozin Variation177E52 - Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Schlechter Defense146E53 - Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric System176E55 - Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric System, Bronstein Variation199E56 - Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric System, Bernstein Defense91E57 - E5732E58 - Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Bernstein Defense, Exchange Line82E59 - Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Bernstein Defense120

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