Nimzo-Indian Defense E20
E — Indian defenses · Family: Nimzo-Indian Defense
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4
The Nimzo-Indian Defense (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4) is the fighting answer to 1.d4: the pin on the knight fights for e4 immediately, and Black is ready to damage White's structure with ...Bxc3+ whenever it pays. Named after Aron Nimzowitsch, it is considered by many masters the objectively best reply to 1.d4.
White's main decision is the pawn structure: the Classical 4.Qc2 keeps the bishop pair, the Rubinstein 4.e3 leads to rich maneuvering, 4.Bg5 adds pin pressure, and 4.f3 or the sharp 4.a3 grab the initiative at a cost. Typical plans: Black exploits doubled c-pawns and strong blockading squares, White plays for the center with e4 or a kingside space squeeze. Understanding of the c-file and the light squares outweighs raw theory.
Play through the moves on the board above, explore the variations tree below — click any move of any branch — then test yourself against the engine from the position you picked.
- Position after 6 half-moves — White to move.
- Material is balanced.
- Family “Nimzo-Indian Defense” contains 99 recorded variation(s) here.
Variations tree of the Nimzo-Indian Defense family
Click any move to jump to that position; switch branches at any point with the alternative moves. Test your knowledge plays the shown position against the engine.
Variations of this family
| Name | ECO | Main line length |
|---|---|---|
| Nimzo-Indian Defense: Dilworth Gambit | E20 | 7 plies |
| Nimzo-Indian Defense: Kmoch Variation | E20 | 7 plies |
| Nimzo-Indian Defense: Mikenas Attack | E20 | 7 plies |
| Nimzo-Indian Defense: Romanishin Variation | E20 | 7 plies |
| Nimzo-Indian Defense: Romanishin Variation | E20 | 11 plies |
| Nimzo-Indian Defense: Romanishin Variation, English Hybrid | E20 | 16 plies |
| Nimzo-Indian Defense: Three Knights Variation | E21 | 7 plies |
| Nimzo-Indian Defense: Three Knights Variation, Euwe Variation | E21 | 10 plies |
| Nimzo-Indian Defense: Three Knights Variation, Korchnoi Variation | E21 | 9 plies |
| Nimzo-Indian Defense: Three Knights Variation, Shocron Gambit | E21 | 10 plies |
| Nimzo-Indian Defense: Spielmann Variation | E22 | 7 plies |
| Nimzo-Indian Defense: Spielmann Variation, Carlsbad Variation | E23 | 14 plies |
Related puzzles
Lichess tactics played in this opening — solve them right on the board: