Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation

Before the first move

The Sämisch Variation is a high-stakes battle where White accepts doubled pawns on the c-file to build a massive center and gain the bishop pair. Black aims to exploit those structural weaknesses by pressuring c4 and d4, leading to a dynamic struggle between White's space and Black's superior pawn structure.

1. d4White

White starts with d4, the most common way to enter closed and semi-closed games. You'll have to decide how to respond to this central claim; while d5 and Nf6 are the main pillars, adventurous players sometimes try the Englund Gambit with e5.

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, expanding the central front and fighting for the d5-square. Other choices like the London System or the Tartakower Attack with g3 are popular, but this move leads to the most complex and theoretical 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

Move your pawn to e6 to prepare for the development of your dark-squared bishop. This solid move supports the center and readies you to challenge White's control over the next few moves.

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, developing a piece and preparing to seize the full center with e4. You can allow the Nimzo-Indian with Bb4, or avoid it by playing the Catalan with g3 or the Anti-Nimzo with a3.

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 to pin the knight against the king. This is the defining move of the Nimzo-Indian Defense, immediately creating tactical tension and hindering White's plan to play e4.

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. f3White

White plays f3, a sharp system designed to seize the center at all costs. This is much more direct than the Three Knights Variation with Nf3 or the classical 4.e3, signaling White's intent to attack.

Other paths here: Qd3 (Nimzo-Indian Defense: Mikenas Attack) · g3 (Nimzo-Indian Defense: Romanishin Variation) · Bd2 (Nimzo-Indian: 4.Bd2) · Nf3 (Nimzo-Indian Defense: Three Knights Variation)

4... d5Black · your move

Strike at the center with d5. By challenging White's d4-pawn immediately, you force White to make a decision about the tension in the middle while your bishop still maintains the pin on c3.

Other paths here: c5 (Nimzo-Indian: 4.f3 c5)

5. a3White

White plays a3, forcing the issue. You have to decide whether to give up your dark-squared bishop or retreat it to e7, which would allow White to continue their central expansion unhindered.

5... Bxc3+Black · your move

Capture the knight on c3 with check. This trade is the core of the Sämisch Variation: you damage White's pawn structure and create a target on c4 in exchange for giving up your bishop.

Other paths here: Be7 (Nimzo-Indian: 4.f3 d5 5.a3 Be7)

6. bxc3White

White recaptures, accepting the structural damage. This sets the stage for the rest of the game: White will use their big center and bishops to attack, while you will try to blockade and pressure those c-pawns.

6... c5Black · your move

Advance your pawn to c5 to further challenge White's center. You are attacking d4 and preparing to bring your queen out or develop your knight to c6 to increase the pressure.

7. cxd5White

White plays cxd5, liquidating some of the tension. White could also choose e3 to bolster the center, known as the Botvinnik Variation, but taking on d5 is a very direct way to open lines for the bishops.

Other paths here: e3 (Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Botvinnik Variation)

Where you stand

The position is dynamically balanced. White possesses a powerful center and the bishop pair, aiming for a kingside expansion with e4 and f4. Black's task is to recapture on d5 and quickly castle, then utilize the c-file and the a5-e1 diagonal to exploit White's doubled c-pawns and the somewhat exposed king.

• e6-d5 Recapture on d5 to maintain central presence.
• e2-e4 Push e4 to establish a massive pawn center.
• e8-g8 Castle kingside to secure the king.
• f1-d3 Develop the bishop to an active diagonal.
• b8-c6 Develop the knight to pressure d4 and c5.