Nimzo-Indian Defense

Black pins the c3 knight and threatens to damage White's pawn structure, fighting for control of the central e4 square with pieces rather than pawns. It is one of the soundest and most respected defenses to 1.d4.

• Pin the c3-knight to fight for control of e4
• Trade the bishop for the knight to give White doubled c-pawns as targets
• Blockade and pressure White's doubled or hanging pawns
• Choose flexibly between structural and dynamic play