Nimzo-Indian: 4.e3 O-O 5.Bd3 b6

Before the first move

The Nimzo-Indian Defense is a hypermodern masterpiece where Black pins White's knight to restrain the center. In the Rubinstein System with 4.e3, White builds a solid foundation while Black prepares a flexible counterattack, often using the queenside fianchetto to challenge the central squares.

1. d4White · your move

Push your pawn to d4 to claim immediate control of the center. This move opens lines for your queen and dark-squared bishop while establishing a foothold in the most important area of the board.

1... Nf6Black

Black responds with Nf6, the most popular way to meet d4. This prevents a full pawn center for White. While alternatives like d5 or the sharp Englund Gambit exist, the knight move is the gold standard for flexibility.

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

2. c4White · your move

Move your pawn to c4. This increases your influence over the d5-square and prepares to develop your knight behind the pawn, a hallmark of queen's pawn openings.

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 move that keeps options open. It prepares for the Queen's Gambit Declined if White plays Nf3, but more importantly, it sets the stage for the Nimzo-Indian if White chooses Nc3 next.

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 the most ambitious move, putting pressure on d5 and preparing to eventually push e4 to seize a massive center.

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

3... Bb4Black

Black enters the Nimzo-Indian Defense with Bb4. By pinning the knight, you neutralize White's central ambitions. Other moves like d5 would lead to a Queen's Gambit, while b6 would be the Neo-Indian approach.

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 to reinforce d4 and prepare for kingside development. This Rubinstein Variation is the most solid and respected way to handle the pin on c3.

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... O-OBlack

Black castles, prioritizing safety. While c5 or d5 are also common here to strike at the center immediately, castling is a flexible prophylactic move that prepares for the upcoming middlegame struggle.

Other paths here: Nc6 (Nimzo-Indian Defense: Rubinstein System, Taimanov Variation) · c5 (Nimzo-Indian Defense: Rubinstein System) · b6 (Nimzo-Indian Defense: St. Petersburg Variation) · d5 (Keres Variation, Nimzo-Indian)

5. Bd3White · your move

Develop your bishop to d3. This is its most active square, eyeing the h7-pawn and preparing for kingside castling while supporting the center.

Other paths here: Ne2 (Nimzo-Indian Defense: Reshevsky Variation) · Nf3 (Nimzo-Indian Defense) · a3 (Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation)

5... b6Black

Black plays b6, signaling the St. Petersburg Variation. Instead of the central strikes c5 or d5, Black wants to use the bishop on b7 to control the e4-square. This leads to a rich strategic battle for both sides.

Other paths here: c5 (Nimzo-Indian: 4.e3 O-O 5.Bd3 c5) · d6 (Nimzo-Indian: 4.e3 O-O 5.Bd3 d6) · d5 (Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Classical Defense)

Where you stand

The position is strategically complex. White will likely castle and look to expand with e4 or a3 to gain the bishop pair. Black's plan involves placing the bishop on b7 and using the f5 or c5 breaks to challenge White's center. Both sides must balance piece activity with the structural integrity of their pawn chains.

• c8-b7 Fianchetto the bishop to control e4
• g1-g8 Develop knight and castle kingside
• e3-e4 Push e4 to seize the center
• f6-e4 Occupy the e4 outpost with the knight