E21 · Indian · a defense for Black

Nimzo-Indian Defense: Three Knights Variation, Shocron Gambit

10/10
1.d4Nf62.c4e63.Nf3Bb4+4.Nc3c55.d5b5
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Three Knights Variation, Shocron Gambit1.3k games · White to move
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
26%35045%
18%23545%
17%23046%
17%22147%
10%13833%
3.2%4331%
2.9%3910%
2.3%3137%
1.8%2438%
0.6%825%
Famous games in this line4 master games
Zhao, Xue (2579) – Pelletier, Yannick (2578)20130–1Perdomo, Leandro Daniel (2304) – Rosito, Jorge (2410)20031–0Simonyi, Z. (2208) – Ivic, Matija (2291)20180–1Krutti, Valer (2235) – Schepp, Zoltan (2245)1992½–½
Heroes of this opening Pelletier, Yannick · Perdomo, Leandro Daniel · Ivic, Matija
Family
Nimzo-Indian Defense
Category
Indian
First move
1.d4
ECO
E21
Line
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Bb4+ 4. Nc3 c5 5. d5 b5
GambitPositionalHypermodern
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Nearby lines in the family
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Classical DefenseE48 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3 O-O 5.Bd3 d5Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Ragozin VariationE51 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3 O-O 5.Nf3 d5Nimzo-Indian Defense: Spielmann Variation, Romanovsky GambitE23 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Qb3 c5 5.dxc5 Nc6
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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