E54 · Indian · a defense for Black

Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric System, Smyslov Variation

16/16
1.d4Nf62.c4e63.Nc3Bb44.e3O-O5.Bd3d56.Nf3c57.O-Odxc48.Bxc4Qe7
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric System, Smyslov Variation91 games · White to move
Only 91 games reach this position at this level — read it loosely.
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
56%5161%
7.7%714%
5.5%560%
5.5%550%
4.4%450%
4.4%475%
3.3%367%
3.3%367%
2.2%20%
2.2%225%
Famous games in this line60 master games
Aleksandrov, Aleksej (2627)Kasimdzhanov, Rustam (2672)20060–1Kasimdzhanov, Rustam (2652)Baklan, Vladimir (2606)20041–0Babula, Vlastimil (2590)Nisipeanu, Liviu Dieter (2613)20030–1Zhigalko, Andrey (2571)Iordachescu, Viorel (2626)2011½–½Korobov, Anton (2543)Baklan, Vladimir (2622)20061–0Kaidanov, Gregory S (2623)Zagrebelny, Sergey (2521)2004½–½Sedlak, Nikola (2550)Morovic Fernandez, Ivan (2580)2010½–½Knaak, Rainer (2565)Smyslov, Vassily (2560)19790–1
Heroes of this opening Kasimdzhanov, Rustam · Nisipeanu, Liviu Dieter · Korobov, Anton · Smyslov, Vassily
Category
Indian
First move
1.d4
ECO
E54
Line
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Bd3 d5 6. Nf3 c5 7. O-O dxc4 8. Bxc4 Qe7
PositionalHypermodern
Read the guide: Nimzo-Indian DefenseExplore all 99 Nimzo-Indian Defense lines
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From the archives

Aron Nimzowitsch's ...Bb4 pin is the most respected reply to 1.d4 in chess history — practically every world champion from Capablanca to Carlsen has kept it in their repertoire. Its idea was radical in 1920: control the center with PIECES, trade the bishop for structural damage, and grind.

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