Indian · a defense for Black

Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Keres Defense

12/12
1.d4Nf62.c4e63.Nc3Bb44.Qc2O-O5.a3Bxc3+6.Qxc3b6
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Keres Defense28k games · White to move
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
39%11k50%
31%8.8k49%
19%5.5k47%
3.7%1.0k47%
1.3%37645%
1.3%36941%
1.2%33245%
1.1%31453%
0.5%14551%
0.5%13734%
Famous games in this line6.8k master games
Kramnik, Vladimir (2770) – Kasparov, Garry (2849)2000½–½Kasparov, Garry (2825) – Kramnik, Vladimir (2790)1998½–½Kasparov, Garry (2815) – Kramnik, Vladimir (2780)19981–0Kasparov, Garry (2815) – Kramnik, Vladimir (2780)19981–0Ivanchuk, Vassily (2740) – Kasparov, Garry (2825)1998½–½Kasparov, Garry (2830) – Grischuk, Alexander (2732)20031–0Kasparov, Garry (2785) – Karpov, Anatoly (2775)19961–0Topalov, Veselin (2801) – Leko, Peter (2740)20061–0
Heroes of this opening Kasparov, Garry · Topalov, Veselin
Family
Nimzo-Indian Defense
Category
Indian
First move
1.d4
ECO
E32
Line
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 O-O 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 b6
PositionalHypermodern
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Nearby lines in the family
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Simagin Variation4.e3 O-O 5.Ne2 d5 6.a3 Bd6Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric System4.e3 O-O 5.Bd3 d5 6.Nf3 c5Nimzo-Indian Defense: St. Petersburg Variation, with Ne44.e3 b6 5.Bd3 Bb7 6.Nf3 Ne4
From the archives

Aron Nimzowitsch's ...Bb4 pin was little known when the 1920s began and one of Black's favoured defences by the time they ended; it reached a world-championship match in 1929. Its idea was radical: control the centre with PIECES, trade the bishop for structural damage, and grind.

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