Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Schlechter Defense

Before the first move

The Nimzo-Indian Defense is a hypermodern masterpiece where Black pins White's knight to restrain the center. In this Schlechter Variation, both sides aim for solid development, with Black preparing a queenside fianchetto to challenge White's central space and piece coordination.

1. d4White

White begins with d4, a move that focuses on central control and solid structure. This is the most popular alternative to the king-pawn opening, often leading to more strategic, closed games.

1... Nf6Black · your move

Develop your knight to f6. This flexible move controls the e4 and d5 squares, preventing White from immediately occupying the center with a second pawn.

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

2. c4White

White plays c4, the standard follow-up to d4, intending to gain more space and influence the d5-square. White could also try the London System with Bf4 or the Catalan style with g3.

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. This move reinforces your control of the center and clears the way for your f8-bishop to enter the game.

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, developing a piece and threatening to take full control with e4. If White wanted to avoid the Nimzo-Indian, they could have tried Nf3 or the Catalan with g3.

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. By pinning the knight to the king, you neutralize White's influence over the e4-square and disrupt their central plans.

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 a solid and classical setup. This avoids the complications of the sharp f3 Kmoch Variation or the Mikenas Attack with Qd3, focusing instead on steady 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... O-OBlack · your move

Castle your king to safety. Tucking the king away early is essential in the Nimzo-Indian, as the center can often open up quite suddenly.

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

White plays Bd3, developing the bishop to its most active square in this structure. Alternatives include the Reshevsky Variation with Ne2 or the Sämisch Variation with an immediate a3 to challenge the bishop.

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

5... d5Black · your move

Push your pawn to d5. This move directly challenges White's center and opens lines for your pieces, leading to a more classical pawn structure.

Other paths here: b6 (Nimzo-Indian: 4.e3 O-O 5.Bd3 b6) · c5 (Nimzo-Indian: 4.e3 O-O 5.Bd3 c5) · d6 (Nimzo-Indian: 4.e3 O-O 5.Bd3 d6)

6. Nf3White

White plays Nf3, a natural developing move. White had other options like playing a3 to force the bishop to move, or cxd5 to resolve the central tension immediately.

Other paths here: a3 (Nimzo-Indian: 4.e3 O-O 5.Bd3 d5 6.a3) · cxd5 (Nimzo-Indian: 4.e3 O-O 5.Bd3 d5 6.cxd5) · Ne2 (Nimzo-Indian: 4.e3 O-O 5.Bd3 d5 6.Ne2)

6... b6Black · your move

Push your pawn to b6. This prepares to fianchetto your queen's bishop to b7, where it will exert long-range pressure across the entire board.

Other paths here: c5 (Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric System) · Nc6 (Nimzo-Indian Defense: Ragozin Defense)

Where you stand

The position is balanced and rich with strategic depth. White will likely castle and look to utilize their space advantage, while Black will complete development with Bb7 and c5. The battle revolves around Black's pressure on e4 and White's efforts to eventually expand in the center or launch a kingside attack.

• e1-g1 Castle to secure the king.
• c8-b7 Fianchetto the bishop to b7.
• c7-c5 Challenge the center with c5.
• c3-a4 Maneuver the knight to pressure b6.