E59

Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, 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

Aronian,L vs Naiditsch,A1-0
14th WCh-Rapid Prelim • 2009★ Notable
Radjabov,T vs Ponomariov,R1/2-1/2
Olympiad • 2002★ Notable
Kasparov, Gary vs Kramnik, Vladimir1-0
Linares 14th • 1997★ Notable
Petrosian, Tigran V vs Spassky, Boris V1-0
World Championship 26th • 1966★ Notable
Schweber, Samuel vs Spassky, Boris V0-1
Wch U20 final-A • 1955★ Notable
Jorgensen, Vagn Rauhe vs Spassky, Boris V0-1
Wch U20 prel-A • 1955★ Notable
Grischuk,A vs Nakamura,Hi1-0
Chess.com Rapid Wk8 Swiss • 2022
Grischuk,A vs Esipenko,Andrey1/2-1/2
FIDE Grand Prix 1 Pool A • 2022
Ponomariov,R vs L'Ami,E1/2-1/2
73rd Tata Steel GMA • 2011
Kramnik,V vs Tiviakov,S1-0
Corus • 2001
Khalifman,A vs Kramnik,V0-1
SuperGM • 2000
Ivanchuk, Vassily vs Tiviakov, Sergei1-0
Linares • 1995
Jussupow, Artur vs Ehlvest, Jaan1/2-1/2
Tal mem • 1995
Jussupow, Artur vs Beliavsky, Alexander G1/2-1/2
Groningen • 1994
Jussupow, Artur vs Beliavsky, Alexander G0-1
Munich SKA • 1994
Portisch, Lajos vs Braga, Fernando1-0
Reggio Emilia9293 • 1992
Jussupow, Artur vs Ivanchuk, Vassily1-0
Candidats qf3 • 1991
Jussupow, Artur vs Ljubojevic, Ljubomir1-0
Belgrade Invest • 1991
Smyslov, Vassily vs Van Riemsdijk, Herman C0-1
Manila Interzonal • 1990
Portisch, Lajos vs Miles, Anthony J1/2-1/2
Tilburg • 1981

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