Nimzo-Indian Defense: St. Petersburg Variation, Fischer Variation

Before the first move

The Nimzo-Indian is a hypermodern masterpiece where Black pins the c3-knight to prevent White from easily controlling the center with e4. In the St. Petersburg Variation, Black uses a double-fianchetto concept to pressure the c4-pawn and disrupt White's coordination. It is a battle of structural integrity versus central space.

1. d4White

White starts with d4, a solid move that fights for the center. This often leads to the Queen's Gambit or various Indian Defenses. You'll need to decide how to respond—challenging it directly with d5 or using a more flexible approach like Nf6.

1... Nf6Black · your move

Develop your knight to f6 to prevent White from immediately playing e4. This flexible move keeps your options open, allowing you to choose between several defensive setups later while maintaining a watchful eye on the d5 and e4 squares.

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

2. c4White

White plays c4, preparing to build a full pawn center. This is the standard follow-up. While White could try the London System with Bf4 or even the Trompowsky with Bg5, this move is the most ambitious and theoretically challenging for Black.

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 to open a diagonal for your dark-squared bishop. This move prepares for either the Queen's Gambit Declined or the Nimzo-Indian, depending on White's next move, while reinforcing your control over the d5-square.

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 seize the center with e4. If White had played Nf3 instead, you might have entered the Queen's Indian, but here you have the chance to play 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 to pin the knight against the king. This is the defining move of the Nimzo-Indian Defense. You are neutralizing the knight's influence over the e4-square and preparing 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. e3White

White plays e3, choosing the solid Rubinstein System. White ignores the pin for now to focus on development. Alternatives like the sharp 4.f3 or the Classical 4.Qc2 lead to very different, often more explosive, types of games.

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... b6Black · your move

Push your pawn to b6 to prepare a fianchetto for your light-squared bishop. In this variation, you want to develop your bishop to a6 or b7 to challenge White's central pawns and maintain long-term pressure on the queenside.

Other paths here: Nc6 (Nimzo-Indian Defense: Rubinstein System, Taimanov Variation) · c5 (Nimzo-Indian Defense: Rubinstein System) · O-O (Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation) · Ne4 (Nimzo-Indian Defense: St. Petersburg Variation)

5. Ne2White

White plays Ne2, the Fischer Variation. White intends to recapture on c3 with the knight if you trade bishops, keeping the pawn structure intact. This is more sophisticated than the standard Bd3, aiming for a cleaner endgame structure.

Other paths here: Bd3 (Nimzo-Indian: Nimzowitsch, 5.Bd3) · Nf3 (Nimzo-Indian: Nimzowitsch, 5.Nf3)

5... Ba6Black · your move

Develop your bishop to a6 to put direct pressure on the c4-pawn. By placing the bishop here, you force White to defend the pawn awkwardly, often with the queen or a knight, disrupting their ideal development and coordination.

Other paths here: Bb7 (Nimzo-Indian: Nimzowitsch, 5.Ne2 Bb7) · Ne4 (Nimzo-Indian Defense: St. Petersburg Variation, American Variation) · c5 (Nimzo-Indian Defense: St. Petersburg Variation, Romanishin–Psakhis Variation)

Where you stand

The position is strategically rich. Black has achieved a double-fianchetto setup that pressures c4, while White has maintained a solid center without structural damage. White will likely try to expand with a3 and b4, while Black will focus on undermining the center with d5 or c5, leading to a complex middlegame battle.

• a6-c4 Pressure and eventually trade for the c4-pawn
• e2-g3 Relocate knight to g3 for kingside play
• b4-c3 Exchange bishop for knight to disrupt White
• a2-a3 Push a3 to challenge the b4-bishop
• e8-g8 Castle kingside to complete early development