Openings Guide / 1.d4 — Closed and Semi-Closed Games
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4
The Nimzo-Indian Defense is considered one of the best chess openings for Black. Black pins the knight on c3 with 3...Bb4, immediately challenging White's center and threatening to double White's pawns. Named after Aron Nimzowitsch, it has been used by virtually every World Champion as a key Black weapon.
The Nimzo-Indian gives Black excellent piece activity and structural pressure from the start. After ...Bxc3+, Black obtains the bishop pair disadvantage in exchange for superior pawn structure. The Classical (4.Qc2), Rubinstein (4.e3), Sämisch (4.a3 Bxc3+ 5.bxc3), and Leningrad (4.Bg5) are the main systems.
| Variation | Moves |
|---|---|
| Classical 4.Qc2 | 4.Qc2 0-0 5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.Qxc3 |
| Rubinstein 4.e3 | 4.e3 0-0 5.Bd3 d5 |
| Sämisch 4.a3 | 4.a3 Bxc3+ 5.bxc3 c5 |
| Leningrad 4.Bg5 | 4.Bg5 h6 5.Bh4 |