Nimzo-Indian: 4.e3 O-O 5.Nf3 c5

Before the first move

The Nimzo-Indian is a hypermodern masterpiece where Black pins White's knight to restrain the center. In this Rubinstein Variation, White chooses a solid setup with e3, prioritizing development over immediate aggression. You'll navigate a complex battle for central control where every pawn tension matters.

1. d4White · your move

Push your pawn to d4. This move claims central space, opens lines for your queen and bishop, and sets the stage for a strategic battle in the Queen's Pawn openings.

1... Nf6Black

Black replies with Nf6, the most popular and flexible response. It prevents e4 and prepares for various setups. Alternatives like the English Defense with b6 or the sharp Englund Gambit with e5 lead to very different games.

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 is the standard follow-up to d4, increasing your grip on the d5-square and preparing to develop your knight behind the pawn to support the center.

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 chooses e6, preparing to develop the kingside. While the Queen's Indian with b6 or the Mexican Defense with Nc6 are interesting alternatives, this move is the most classical way to handle White's setup.

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 natural square, putting pressure on d5 and e4. You are inviting Black to pin the knight, which leads to the main lines 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, pinning the knight and entering the Nimzo-Indian Defense. This is more active than the Queen's Gambit Declined with d5 or the Queen's Indian with b6, as it creates immediate tactical tension.

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

Move your pawn to e3. This solidifies your d4-pawn and opens the path for your light-squared bishop. This is the Rubinstein System, one of the most respected ways to meet the Nimzo-Indian.

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 king safety. This is the standard approach, though Black sometimes strikes immediately with c5 or prepares a queenside fianchetto with b6 before committing the king.

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. Nf3White · your move

Bring your knight to f3. This natural developing move controls the center and prepares for castling. You are building a very solid and flexible position that can adapt to Black's next plan.

Other paths here: Ne2 (Nimzo-Indian Defense: Reshevsky Variation) · Bd3 (Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation) · a3 (Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation)

5... c5Black

Black replies with c5, a thematic strike against the d4-pawn. This leads to a complex struggle. Black could also have chosen the Ragozin-style d5 or the more patient b6 to develop the other bishop.

Other paths here: b6 (Nimzo-Indian: 4.e3 O-O 5.Nf3 b6) · Ne4 (Nimzo-Indian: 4.e3 O-O 5.Nf3 Ne4) · d5 (Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Ragozin Variation)

Where you stand

The position is rich with strategic depth. White will likely develop the light-squared bishop to d3 and castle, while Black will look to pressure d4 and potentially trade the bishop on c3 to create structural weaknesses. Both sides have achieved healthy development, and the coming moves will decide who controls the central files.

• f1-d3 Develop bishop to its most active square
• e1-g1 Castle kingside to complete development
• d7-d5 Challenge the center with a second pawn
• b4-c3 Trade bishop for knight to ruin structure