Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric System

Before the first move

The Nimzo-Indian Defense is a sophisticated and hypermodern weapon against 1.d4. Instead of occupying the center with pawns immediately, you use your pieces to control the d4 and e5 squares. In the Gligoric System, White builds a solid center while you challenge it with a series of precise pawn strikes.

1. d4White

White starts with d4, the Queen's Pawn Opening. By occupying the center, White prepares a solid structure and invites a strategic struggle. You will have to decide how to respond: the classical d5 leads to a Queen's Gambit, while Nf6 or e6 can lead to various Indian Defenses or the Horwitz Defense.

1... Nf6Black · your move

Develop your knight to f6. This is the most flexible response to d4, preventing White from immediately playing e4 and keeping your options open. You are preparing to challenge the center with pieces first, a hallmark of the Indian Defenses.

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

2. c4White

White plays c4, the signature move of the Queen's Gambit complex. White aims to control d5 and prepare for Nc3. While this is the main line, you might also see the Tartakower Attack with g3 or the Canard Opening with f4, each seeking different ways to influence 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 · your move

Move your pawn to e6. This solidifies your control over d5 and opens the diagonal for your dark-squared bishop. You are preparing to either enter the Queen's Gambit Declined or, more likely here, the Nimzo-Indian Defense.

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 most aggressive development. This move specifically invites the Nimzo-Indian. If White wanted to avoid the pin on this knight, they might have tried the Catalan with g3 or the Anti-Nimzo-Indian with a3, both of which lead to very different pawn structures.

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, pinning the knight to the king. This is the defining move of the Nimzo-Indian Defense. You neutralize the knight's influence over the e4 square and prepare to trade it off if White tries to push through the center too aggressively.

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 rock-solid Rubinstein System. White ignores the pin for a moment to focus on development. You might also encounter the sharp Kmoch Variation with f3 or the Three Knights Variation with Nf3, which lead to more open and tactical struggles.

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. In the Nimzo-Indian, your king's safety is paramount before you begin the central counter-strike. This also brings your rook closer to the center, where it may eventually support a pawn break on the c or d-files.

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, continuing the Gligoric System's development. White places the bishop on its best diagonal. White could have also played the Reshevsky Variation with Ne2 to avoid doubled pawns after a trade on c3, or the Sämisch Variation with a3 to put the question to the bishop immediately.

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. You are now striking at the heart of White's center. This move challenges the c4 pawn and creates a solid anchor in the middle of the board. It is time to transition from piece play to direct central confrontation.

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. This is the main line of the Gligoric, focusing on natural development. White could have tried Ne2 to keep the f-pawn free to move, or even exchanged on d5, but Nf3 is the most flexible and common choice in this position.

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... c5Black · your move

Push your pawn to c5. This is the final piece of the central puzzle. By attacking d4 from the other side, you create maximum tension. You are now fully prepared to fight for every inch of the center, using your well-placed pieces to support your pawns.

Other paths here: b6 (Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Schlechter Defense) · Nc6 (Nimzo-Indian Defense: Ragozin Defense)

Where you stand

The position is rich with strategic depth and central tension. White will likely castle and look to utilize the space advantage, while Black aims to resolve the central pressure through trades or by creating a strong queenside presence. Both sides must carefully manage the pawn tension on d4 and c5, as the resulting structures will dictate the endgame plans.

• e1-g1 Castle to secure the king
• c8-b7 Develop bishop to the long diagonal
• c3-a4 Knight eyes the b6 square
• b8-c6 Develop knight to pressure d4