Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation

Before the first move

The Sämisch Variation of the Nimzo-Indian is a high-stakes strategic battle. White accepts doubled pawns and a damaged structure in exchange for the bishop pair and a massive center. You will learn how to exploit these structural weaknesses as Black or leverage the powerful central control as White.

1. d4White

White plays d4, the Queen's Pawn Opening. This is the most common alternative to e4, leading to complex positional battles. You have many ways to respond, but the most flexible and popular choice is to develop a knight to f6.

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 ready to transition into many different setups like the Nimzo-Indian, King's Indian, or Queen's Gambit Declined.

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

2. c4White

White plays c4, the standard follow-up to d4. This expands White's space and prepares a full central presence. White could also choose the London System with Bf4 or the Trompowsky with Bg5, but c4 leads to the most theoretical main lines.

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. This solid move opens the diagonal for your king's bishop and prepares to challenge the center. It is a quiet but essential step in setting up the Nimzo-Indian or the Queen's Gambit.

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 toward the center and threatening e4. This is the most ambitious try. Alternatives like Nf3 avoid the pin or g3 leads to the Catalan, but Nc3 invites the immediate struggle of the Nimzo-Indian Defense.

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, pinning the knight to the king. This is the defining move of the Nimzo-Indian. You neutralize the knight's influence over e4 and prepare to damage White's pawn structure if they aren't careful.

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, immediately challenging your bishop. This is the Sämisch Variation. White is willing to accept structural damage to gain the bishop pair. Other moves like Nf3 (Three Knights) or e3 (Rubinstein) are more positional and less confrontational.

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. Since the bishop is under attack, taking the knight is the most principled response. You permanently damage White's pawn structure, creating 'doubled pawns' on the c-file which will be targets for the rest of the game.

Other paths here: Ba5 (Sämisch Variation)

5. bxc3White

White recaptures with bxc3. The pawn structure is now significantly altered. White has a very strong center but 'broken' pawns. You must now decide how to exploit these targets while White prepares to roll their central pawns forward.

5... O-OBlack · your move

Castle your king to safety. With the center potentially opening up, getting your king to the g-file is a priority. This completes your basic development and prepares you to strike at White's overextended center with moves like c5 or d5.

Other paths here: b6 (Nimzo-Indian: Saemisch, 5...b6) · c5 (Nimzo-Indian: Saemisch, 5...c5) · d5 (Nimzo-Indian: Saemisch, 5...d5)

Where you stand

The battle lines are drawn. White will likely play f3 and e4 to build a massive pawn center and hunt the Black king. Black's plan is to blockade the center and attack the weak c4-pawn using moves like Na5 and Ba6. The game will revolve around whether White's space and bishops outweigh the structural flaws of the doubled pawns.

• f2-e4 Push f3 and e4 to dominate the center
• c8-a6 Develop bishop to a6 to pressure c4
• b8-a5 Route knight to a5 to target c4
• c1-g5 Develop bishop to pin the f6 knight