Chessda

Nimzo-Indian Defense

The Nimzo-Indian Defense (ECO E20–E59) is a chess opening that begins 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4.

Nimzo-Indian Defense — after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4

The main line

The Nimzo-Indian Defense is reached by 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 (ECO E20). It's one of 98 named lines under this opening in the book.

Named variations (16)

  • Classical Variation1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 (E32)
  • Normal Variation1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O (E46)
  • St. Petersburg Variation1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 b6 (E43)
  • Sämisch Variation1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. a3 (E24)
  • Rubinstein System1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 (E40)
  • Spielmann Variation1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qb3 (E22)
  • Three Knights Variation1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 (E21)
  • Romanishin Variation1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. g3 (E20)
  • Leningrad Variation1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Bg5 (E30)
  • Dilworth Gambit1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e4 (E20)
  • Kmoch Variation1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. f3 (E20)
  • Mikenas Attack1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qd3 (E20)
  • Reshevsky Variation1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Ne2 (E46)
  • Simagin Variation1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Ne2 d5 6. a3 Bd6 (E46)
  • Ragozin Defense1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Bd3 d5 6. Nf3 Nc6 7. O-O (E48)
  • Ragozin Variation1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Bd3 d5 6. Nf3 Nc6 7. O-O dxc4 (E51)

Analyze the Nimzo-Indian Defense

Play through this opening on the free analysis board, or review one of your own gamesto see how accurately you handled it — every move classified, with the engine's best line on each mistake.

← Back to all chess openings. New to opening study? See move classifications and the glossary.