E26 · Indian · a defense for Black

Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, O'Kelly Variation

12/12
1.d4Nf62.c4e63.Nc3Bb44.a3Bxc3+5.bxc3c56.e3b6
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, O'Kelly Variation9.5k games · White to move
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
44%4.2k51%
36%3.5k42%
3.9%37043%
3.4%32649%
2.6%24642%
2.4%22651%
1.7%16237%
1.6%14839%
1.3%12646%
0.9%8739%
Famous games in this line143 master games
Mamedyarov, S. (2730) – Rapport, R. (2741)20251–0Adhiban, Baskaran (2660) – Firouzja, Alireza (2759)20210–1Abdusattorov, Nodirbek (2713) – Keymer, Vincent (2700)20220–1Svane, Frederik (2667) – Harikrishna, P. (2707)20250–1Puranik, A. (2635) – Ghosh, D. (2576)20251–0Ehlvest, Jaan (2605) – Ivanov, Alexander (2565)2004½–½Ni, Hua (2603) – Mchedlishvili, Mikheil (2564)20051–0Hellers, F. (2589) – Pechac, Jergus (2578)20240–1
Heroes of this opening Mamedyarov, S. · Firouzja, Alireza · Keymer, Vincent · Harikrishna, P.
Family
Nimzo-Indian Defense
Category
Indian
First move
1.d4
ECO
E26
Line
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. a3 Bxc3+ 5. bxc3 c5 6. e3 b6
PositionalHypermodern
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Nearby lines in the family
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Simagin VariationE46 4.e3 O-O 5.Ne2 d5 6.a3 Bd6Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric SystemE53 4.e3 O-O 5.Bd3 d5 6.Nf3 c5Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Keres DefenseE32 4.Qc2 O-O 5.a3 Bxc3 6.Qxc3 b6
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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