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

Before the first move

The Nimzo-Indian is a sophisticated struggle for central control. Black allows White to build a pawn center but pins the knight on c3 to restrain it. In the Rubinstein System, White plays solidly with e3, leading to a complex battle where White seeks the bishop pair and Black aims for rapid development and central counter-strikes.

1. d4White · your move

Push your queen's pawn to d4. This move claims the center and opens lines for your queen and dark-squared bishop, setting the stage for a strategic battle.

1... Nf6Black

Black responds with Nf6, the most popular and flexible reply to d4. By developing the knight, Black keeps their options open, ready to enter lines like the Queen's Indian or the Nimzo-Indian. Other possibilities include d5 or the more provocative Englund Gambit with e5.

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. This gain in space prepares to support your center and allows your knight to develop behind it, 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, preparing to develop the dark-squared bishop. This is a very solid choice that often leads to the Nimzo-Indian or the Queen's Gambit Declined. Black could also choose g6 to enter the King's Indian Defense or b6 for the Queen's Indian Accelerated.

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 move exerts pressure on d5 and e4, but it invites Black to pin the knight, which is the defining characteristic of the Nimzo-Indian.

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

3... Bb4Black

Black plays Bb4, the signature move of the Nimzo-Indian Defense. This pin is psychologically and strategically demanding for White. Alternatives like d5 would lead to a Queen's Gambit, while c5 would immediately challenge the center in the Neo-Indian style.

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, choosing solid development over the aggressive lines. You protect d4 and prepare to develop your kingside.

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, a standard and flexible move. By tucking the king away, Black prepares for the central break. Other options like c5 or d5 are often played immediately, but castling first is a very solid way to handle the Rubinstein.

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 the most active square for the bishop, where it eyes the kingside and supports a potential future e4 push.

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

5... c5Black

Black strikes back with c5, a thematic counter-attack in the Nimzo-Indian. Black aims to chip away at White's center. Alternatively, Black could play d5 to enter more classical structures or b6 to prepare a fianchetto of the light-squared bishop.

Other paths here: b6 (Nimzo-Indian: 4.e3 O-O 5.Bd3 b6) · d6 (Nimzo-Indian: 4.e3 O-O 5.Bd3 d6) · d5 (Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Classical Defense)

Where you stand

The position is balanced and rich with ideas. White will likely play Nf3 and castle, eventually deciding whether to accept doubled pawns on the c-file or play a3 to kick the bishop. Black will focus on pressuring d4 and developing the queenside, often using the b6 and Bb7 maneuver to control the long diagonal. Both sides must navigate the central tension carefully.

• g1-f3 Develop the knight to f3
• e1-g1 Castle to secure the king
• b8-c6 Develop the knight to c6
• b7-b6 Prepare to fianchetto the bishop
• a2-a3 Put the question to the bishop