Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric System, Exchange Variation

Before the first move

The Nimzo-Indian is a hypermodern masterpiece where Black pins the knight to control the center indirectly. In this Gligoric System, White builds a solid classical center, while Black strikes back with d5 and c5. This variation leads to a balanced, rich middlegame where both sides fight for the initiative in an open center.

1. d4White

White opens with d4, the most common way to start a closed game. By occupying the center, White prepares to develop their pieces behind a solid wall of pawns.

1... Nf6Black · your move

Develop your knight to f6. This flexible move prevents White from immediately playing e4 and keeps your options open for several different defensive setups.

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 family. This increases central pressure. Other tries like the London System or the Trompowsky Attack are popular alternatives here.

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 clears the path for your king's bishop to enter the game and prepare for castling.

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, challenging Black to decide on a defense. White could also try the Catalan with g3 or the Anti-Nimzo with Nf3 to avoid the upcoming pin.

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 to pin the knight against the king. This is the defining move of the Nimzo-Indian, neutralizing White's influence over the e4 square.

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 chooses the solid e3. Other aggressive paths include the Leningrad Variation with f3 or the Three Knights Variation with Nf3, which leads to very different pawn structures.

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 vital in the Nimzo-Indian, as the center often opens up quickly once the pawn breaks begin.

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, the most natural development. White could also try the Reshevsky Variation with Ne2 to avoid doubled pawns if Black captures on c3.

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

5... d5Black · your move

Strike at the center with d5. You are challenging White's d4 pawn and opening lines for your queen, creating a classical pawn tension in the middle.

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 Gligoric System. White could also play Ne2 to keep the f-pawn free or exchange on d5 immediately to simplify the 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 to increase the pressure. You are attacking the d4 square from both sides, forcing White to address the tension in the center.

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

7. O-OWhite

White castles, bringing the game into the main line of the Gligoric System. The position is now reaching its peak tension with four pawns facing off in the center.

7... dxc4Black · your move

Capture the pawn on c4. This move forces White's bishop to move again and clarifies the central structure, preparing to develop your queenside pieces.

Other paths here: Nbd7 (Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric System) · b6 (Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric System, Keres Variation) · Nc6 (Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric System, Bernstein Defense)

8. Bxc4White

White recaptures with Bxc4. The opening phase is over. White has a slight space advantage, but Black has a very solid position with clear plans for the remaining pieces.

Where you stand

The position is dynamically balanced. White enjoys a space advantage and active bishops, while Black has a solid structure and easy development. Black will likely look to trade on d4 to create an isolated queen pawn for White or develop the queenside with b6 and Bb7. White will focus on using the semi-open files and central pressure to launch a kingside attack.

• b8-c6 Develop the knight to its most active square.
• b7-b6 Prepare to fianchetto the light-squared bishop.
• c1-g5 Pin the f6 knight to increase central pressure.
• d1-e2 Connect the rooks and support the center.