E56

Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric System, Bernstein 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

Jussupow, Artur vs Kamsky, Gata1/2-1/2
Tilburg rapid20 • 1993★ Notable
Jussupow, Artur vs Kamsky, Gata1/2-1/2
Tilburg • 1993★ Notable
Spassky, Boris V vs Fischer, Robert James1-0
World Championship 28th • 1972★ Notable
Portisch, Lajos vs Polugaevsky, Lev0-1
Palma de Mallorca Interzonal • 1970★ Notable
Ivanchuk,V vs Adams,Mi1/2-1/2
1st FIDE GP London 2012 • 2012
Speelman, Jonathan S vs Ljubojevic, Ljubomir1/2-1/2
Linares • 1991
Kortschnoj, Viktor vs Ljubojevic, Ljubomir1-0
Tilburg • 1987
Beliavsky, Alexander G vs Tal, Mihail1/2-1/2
URS-chT • 1975
Polugaevsky, Lev vs Karpov, Anatoly1/2-1/2
Candidats qf1 • 1974
Polugaevsky, Lev vs Karpov, Anatoly1/2-1/2
Candidats qf1 • 1974
Polugaevsky, Lev vs Karpov, Anatoly1/2-1/2
Candidats qf1 • 1974
Polugaevsky, Lev vs Karpov, Anatoly1/2-1/2
Candidats qf1 • 1974
Timman, Jan H vs Tal, Mihail1/2-1/2
Hastings7374 • 1973
Portisch, Lajos vs Smyslov, Vassily1/2-1/2
IBM • 1971
Gligoric, Svetozar vs Polugaevsky, Lev1/2-1/2
Palma de Mallorca Interzonal • 1970
Smyslov, Vassily vs Najdorf, Miguel1/2-1/2
Buenos Aires • 1970
Portisch, Lajos vs Polugaevsky, Lev1/2-1/2
HUN-URS • 1969
Reshevsky, Samuel Herman vs Larsen, Bent0-1
Lugano ol (Men) • 1968
Portisch, Lajos vs Larsen, Bent0-1
Candidats qf3 • 1968
Portisch, Lajos vs Larsen, Bent1-0
Candidats qf3 • 1968

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