Nimzo-Indian Defense: Spielmann Variation, Romanovsky Gambit

Before the first move

The Nimzo-Indian Defense is a hypermodern masterpiece where Black pins White's knight to restrain the center. In the Spielmann Variation, White brings the queen out early to avoid doubled pawns, leading to a sharp, tactical battle over the c5-square where lead in development often outweighs a single pawn.

1. d4White

White starts with d4, the most common alternative to e4. This move leads to more closed, strategic games compared to the open tactical battles of king's pawn openings. You'll need to decide whether to strike back immediately or develop flexibly.

1... Nf6Black · your move

Develop your knight to f6. This flexible move prevents White from immediately playing e4 and keeps your options open. You are preparing to challenge the center while remaining ready to choose between several different defensive setups.

Other paths here: Na6 (Australian Defense) · g5 (Borg Defense: Borg Gambit) · b6 (English Defense) · e5 (Englund Gambit)

2. c4White

White plays c4, expanding in the center and preparing the Queen's Gambit structure. You have many ways to meet this, including the solid Queen's Gambit Declined or the more aggressive King's Indian, but today we focus on the Nimzo-Indian path.

Other paths here: f4 (Canard Opening) · g4 (Indian Defense: Gibbins-Weidenhagen Gambit) · e4 (Indian Defense: Omega Gambit) · d5 (Indian Defense: Pawn Push Variation)

2... e6Black · your move

Push your pawn to e6. You are opening the diagonal for your dark-squared bishop and preparing to challenge the center. This move is a quiet but essential step toward the Nimzo-Indian or Queen's Indian structures.

Other paths here: g5 (Indian Defense: Medusa Gambit) · b5 (Indian Defense: Pyrenees Gambit) · a6 (Indian: 2.c4 a6) · Nc6 (Mexican Defense)

3. Nc3White

White plays Nc3, the main line. This move threatens to create a massive center with e4. You can allow this with the Catalan or Seirawan Attack, but the Nimzo-Indian pin is the most direct way to stop White's plan.

Other paths here: g3 (Catalan Opening) · Qb3 (Indian Defense) · g4 (Indian Defense: Devin Gambit) · Bg5 (Indian Defense: Seirawan Attack)

3... Bb4Black · your move

Slide your bishop to b4. This pin on the knight is the defining move of the Nimzo-Indian. You are indirectly controlling the e4-square by making it impossible for the knight to support a pawn push there.

Other paths here: b6 (Queen's Pawn: Neo-Indian, 3...b6) · c5 (Queen's Pawn: Neo-Indian, 3...c5) · d5 (Queen's Gambit Declined: Exchange Variation)

4. Qb3White

White plays Qb3, an active move that asks your bishop what it's doing on b4. This avoids the structural damage of the Sämisch Variation or the slower play of the Three Knights, forcing an immediate tactical confrontation in the center.

Other paths here: f3 (Nimzo-Indian Defense: Kmoch Variation) · Qd3 (Nimzo-Indian Defense: Mikenas Attack) · g3 (Nimzo-Indian Defense: Romanishin Variation) · Bd2 (Nimzo-Indian: 4.Bd2)

4... c5Black · your move

Strike at the center with c5. You are challenging White's d4-pawn and opening lines for your own queen. Even though White can capture this pawn, you will gain rapid development and pressure against the white center in return.

Other paths here: Nc6 (Nimzo-Indian: Spielmann, 4...Nc6)

5. dxc5White

White captures on c5, entering the Romanovsky Gambit. White could have played e3 or Nf3 to maintain the tension, but by taking the pawn, they dare you to prove that your rapid development is worth the material deficit.

Other paths here: e3 (Nimzo-Indian: Spielmann, 4...c5 5.e3) · Nf3 (Nimzo-Indian: Spielmann, 4...c5 5.Nf3)

5... Nc6Black · your move

Bring your knight to c6. You are developing with a threat to the c5-pawn and preparing to castle. Your pieces are coming out much faster than White's, which is your primary compensation for the sacrificed pawn.

Other paths here: Na6 (Nimzo-Indian: Spielmann, 4...c5 5.dxc5 Na6)

Where you stand

The position is dynamically balanced. Black has a significant lead in development and will soon castle and pressure the c5-pawn. White has the extra pawn and the bishop pair if the knight on c3 is traded, but must navigate a tricky development phase. Both sides have clear targets and the game will likely revolve around whether White can consolidate their material edge.

• c6-e5 Strike the center and free the position
• g1-f3 Develop the knight and prepare to castle
• e8-g8 Secure the king and activate the rook
• c1-d2 Develop the bishop and challenge the pin
• f6-e4 Centralize the knight to increase pressure