Nimzo-Indian Defence
Learn the Nimzo-Indian Defence by playing the moves. Practise the Rubinstein, the Classical 4.Qc2, the Samisch, the Leningrad and the Kasparov Variation one line at a time.
Best for: Positional players · ECO E20-E59 · First moves: 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6
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Position after the Nimzo-Indian Defence setup
Common replies
Standard lines you'll meet most of the time. Begin with the recommended rubinstein main line, then work through the rest.
Rubinstein Main Line
The main Nimzo structure with ...d5 and ...c5 central breaks.
The most popular Nimzo. White plays a flexible 4.e3, Black castles and plays ...d5 and ...c5, and the game usually resolves into an isolated queen's pawn middlegame full of instructive play.
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4…
Classical 4.Qc2
Fighting for e4 after White keeps a healthy structure.
White avoids doubled pawns with an early queen move. Black castles, allows a3, and plays ...b6 and ...Bb7 to fight for the light squares White has weakened.
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4…
Classical with 4...d5
Meeting 4.Qc2 with a direct central challenge.
Black challenges the centre immediately. After the exchange on d5 the position resembles a Queen's Gambit with the extra ...Bb4 pin, and Black hits back with ...c5.
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4…
Karpov Variation
A harmonious setup combining ...d5 with the queenside fianchetto.
Black combines ...d5 with ...b6 and ...Bb7, building a flexible, harmonious position. One of the most reliable systems in the entire Nimzo-Indian.
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4…
Sharper options
More aggressive or off-beat lines. Add these once the main setup feels natural.
Samisch Variation
Playing against the bishop pair and a broad pawn centre.
White forces the trade with a3, accepting doubled pawns for the bishop pair and a huge centre. Black must strike quickly with ...c5 and blockade before White plays f3 and e4.
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4…
Leningrad Variation
Handling an early pin with a closed-centre counterattack.
White pins with Bg5 and Black kicks the bishop then closes the centre with ...c5 and ...d6. Sharp, unbalanced play with chances for both sides on opposite wings.
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4…
Kmoch Variation
Opening the centre before White's f3 and e4 plan lands.
White plays f3 to prepare e4 at once. Black hits back with ...d5 and ...c5, opening the position before White can complete the big centre.
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4…
Vienna Variation
Handling a forcing tactical line with a big White centre.
Black grabs the c4 pawn and White responds with a huge e4 centre. Concrete, forcing play where both sides must know the theory to survive the opening.
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4…
Advanced hybrids
Structurally different lines for established players. Best learned after the main setup is automatic.
Huebner Variation
Fixing and blockading White's doubled c-pawns.
Black trades on c3 to inflict doubled pawns, then locks the structure with ...d6. A pure structural plan: fix the weakness, blockade, and grind.
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4…
Kasparov Variation
Reacting to a fianchetto setup with central counterplay.
White develops with Nf3 and fianchettoes, avoiding structural concessions. Black hits the centre with ...c5 and ...d5, aiming for free piece play in an open position.
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4…
Romanishin Variation
Contesting the long diagonal against an early g3.
White fianchettoes at once with 4.g3. Black strikes in the centre with ...c5 and ...d5, and the light-squared bishops fight for the long diagonal.
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4…
Reshevsky Variation
Playing against the Ne2 system that avoids doubled pawns.
White develops the knight to e2 so a3 will recapture with the knight, keeping the structure intact. Black plays ...d5 and retreats the bishop to keep the pieces on.
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4…
Fischer Variation
Attacking the c4 pawn with the ...Ba6 manoeuvre.
Black plays ...b6 and ...Ba6 to attack the c4 pawn directly. White must spend time defending it, and Black gets easy development and clear targets.
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4…
Noa Variation
Playing the Carlsbad structure with doubled c-pawns.
Black plays an early ...d5, and White forces the trade on c3 with a3. The Carlsbad-style structure that follows gives both sides clear long-term plans.
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4…
Classical with dxc5
Recapturing actively and completing development quickly.
White meets ...c5 with dxc5, and Black regains the pawn with the bishop. Black then fianchettoes and enjoys smooth development with pressure on the long diagonal.
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4…
Spielmann Variation
Using the e4 outpost against a queenside queen sortie.
White protects the knight with Qb3 instead of Qc2. Black hits the centre with ...c5, uses the e4 outpost, and picks up the c5 pawn with clean development.
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4…
St Petersburg Variation
The ...Nc6 and ...e5 plan against the Classical Variation.
Black develops the knight to c6 and supports it with ...d6, a Zurich-style setup aiming to close the centre and play with pieces on the dark squares.
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4…
Three Knights Variation
Fighting for e4 with the queenside fianchetto.
White develops with Nf3 and Bg5, and Black fianchettoes and trades on c3. Rich manoeuvring positions where control of e4 decides who is better.
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4…
Rubinstein with ...Ne4
Occupying e4 and building a kingside attack.
Black grabs the e4 outpost and supports it with ...f5, reaching a Dutch-style setup. Ambitious play aiming at a kingside attack rather than pure structure.
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4…
Samisch Blockade
Blockading with ...Na5 to neutralise the bishop pair.
Black meets the Samisch by fixing the doubled pawns and blockading with ...Na5 and ...d6. Slow, precise play that turns White's bishop pair into a spectator.
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4…
Learn more about the Nimzo-Indian Defence
12 sections covering move order, plans, structures, who it suits, and more.
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Another defence for Black
King's Indian Defence
A hypermodern opening where Black allows White to build a broad pawn centre, then strikes back with ...e5 or ...c5. The fianchettoed bishop on g7 becomes a powerful long-range weapon.
Pair this with an opening for White
London System
A solid d4 opening where White develops the dark-squared bishop to f4 early, building a resilient pawn triangle on c3-d4-e3. Low on theory and high on plans, making it an ideal weapon at all levels.
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Ruy Lopez
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Practise the Nimzo-Indian Defence against real opponents
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