Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Accelerated

Before the first move

The Nimzo-Indian Sämisch Variation is a high-stakes strategic battle. White accepts doubled pawns and a damaged structure in exchange for the powerful bishop pair and a massive center. You will learn how to exploit these structural weaknesses as Black, or how to use White's central dominance to launch a crushing kingside attack.

1. d4White

White begins with d4, the most common way to enter a closed game. By occupying the center, White prepares to develop their pieces behind a solid pawn wall. Black has many ways to respond, including the symmetrical d5 or the flexible Nf6.

1... Nf6Black · your move

Develop your knight to f6. This flexible move prevents White from immediately playing e4 and keeps your options open for several different defensive setups against the queen's pawn.

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

2. c4White

White plays c4, the most ambitious continuation. This move prepares to gain space and challenge Black's control of the center. White could also choose the London System or the Trompowsky Attack, but c4 leads to the richest strategic battles.

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

Slide your pawn to e6. This move prepares to develop your dark-squared bishop and supports a future challenge in the center with either d5 or the more provocative Bb4.

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, directly challenging Black to do something about the impending e4 push. If White had played Nf3 instead, we might have seen a Queen's Indian or a Bogo-Indian, but Nc3 invites the Nimzo-Indian.

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

3... Bb4Black · your move

Develop your bishop to b4 to pin the knight to the king. This is the defining move of the Nimzo-Indian, neutralizing White's control over the e4 square and preparing for rapid development.

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. a3White

White plays a3, entering the sharp Sämisch Variation. Instead of the quieter e3 (Rubinstein) or Nf3 (Three Knights), White immediately challenges the bishop, accepting a compromised pawn structure in exchange for the bishop pair and a big 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... Bxc3+Black · your move

Capture the knight on c3 with check. Since your bishop was attacked, you take the opportunity to damage White's pawn structure, creating doubled pawns that will be long-term targets.

Other paths here: Ba5 (Sämisch Variation)

5. bxc3White

White recaptures with bxc3, completing the transformation of the pawn structure. White now has a massive center and two bishops, but the doubled c-pawns are a permanent weakness that Black will try to exploit through pressure on the c-file.

Where you stand

The battle lines are drawn. White will try to use the massive center and the bishop pair to build a kingside attack, often starting with e4 and f3. Black's plan is to castle quickly and then target the weak c4 pawn, often using maneuvers like b6, Ba6, and Na5 to pile up on the structural defect.

• e8-g8 Castle kingside to secure your king.
• f6-e4 Occupy e4 to block White's center.
• c1-a3 Develop bishop to pressure the queenside.
• e2-e4 Push e4 to dominate the center.
• b8-a5 Route knight to attack weak c4.