Nimzo-Indian: 4.e3 c5 5.Bd3 Nc6

Before the first move

The Nimzo-Indian Defense is a highly respected, flexible opening where Black pins the knight on c3 to control the center indirectly. In this Rubinstein System, White builds a solid center with e3 while Black immediately challenges it with c5 and Nc6, leading to complex strategic battles over the d4-square.

1. d4White · your move

Push your pawn to d4 to claim control of the center and open lines for your queen and dark-squared bishop. This move establishes a foothold in the middle of the board and prepares a solid foundation for your development.

1... Nf6Black

Black replies with Nf6, the most popular response. It develops a piece and controls the e4 and d5 squares. While Black could try the Englund Gambit with e5 or the solid Horwitz Defense with e6, the knight move is the gold standard for flexibility and control.

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

2. c4White · your move

Advance your pawn to c4. By doing this, you're putting more pressure on the d5-square and preparing to develop your queen's knight behind the pawn. This move is a hallmark of the Queen's Gambit and Indian systems, aiming for a space advantage.

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

Black plays e6, a solid move that prepares to challenge the center. While sharper options like the Mexican Defense with Nc6 or the Queen's Indian Accelerated with b6 exist, e6 is the most classical way to prepare for the development of the kingside.

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

3. Nc3White · your move

Develop your knight to c3. This is a natural developing move that puts immediate pressure on the d5 and e4 squares. You are challenging Black to decide how they will contest the center before you continue your kingside development.

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

3... Bb4Black

Black plays Bb4, pinning the knight. This is the Nimzo-Indian Defense, a favorite of world champions. Instead of this pin, Black could choose the Queen's Gambit Declined with d5 or the Neo-Indian with b6, but the pin on c3 is the most provocative choice.

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. e3White · your move

Push your pawn to e3. This move characterizes the Rubinstein System, the most solid way to meet the Nimzo-Indian. You are defending d4 and opening a path for your light-squared bishop while ignoring the pin for now to focus on solid development.

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

Black counters with c5, a standard break in the Nimzo-Indian. Black could also castle or play d5, but c5 is very active. It forces White to resolve the tension in the center and prepares to bring the knight to c6.

Other paths here: Nc6 (Nimzo-Indian Defense: Rubinstein System, Taimanov Variation) · b6 (Nimzo-Indian Defense: St. Petersburg Variation) · O-O (Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation) · d5 (Keres Variation, Nimzo-Indian)

5. Bd3White · your move

Develop your bishop to d3. This is the most active square for the bishop, where it eyes the kingside and supports the center. You are preparing to castle and completing your development while maintaining your central pawn on d4.

Other paths here: Nf3 (Nimzo-Indian: 4.e3 c5 5.Nf3) · Ne2 (Nimzo-Indian Defense: Rubinstein System, Rubinstein Variation)

5... Nc6Black

Black develops the knight to c6, adding a third attacker to the d4-square. This is the Taimanov Variation. Black is fully developed and ready to fight for the center. White must now decide whether to castle or develop the kingside knight to e2 or f3.

Where you stand

The position is balanced and rich with strategic depth. White will likely develop the kingside knight to e2 to avoid doubled pawns and prepare for a central expansion. Black will focus on finishing development and choosing the right moment to release the tension in the center, often by trading on d4 or pressuring the c4-pawn.

• g1-e2 Develop the knight to e2 to support d4
• e1-g1 Castle kingside to secure the king
• e8-g8 Castle kingside to complete development
• c5-d4 Trade on d4 to open the center
• b4-c3 Capture the knight to damage White's structure