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

Before the first move

The Nimzo-Indian is a highly respected hypermodern defense where Black controls the center using pieces rather than pawns. In this main line Gligoric System, both sides fight for the d4 and e5 squares. You'll witness a dense battle of central tension where every minor piece placement carries significant strategic weight.

1. d4White

White plays d4, the Queen's Pawn Opening. This is the most common alternative to e4, leading to more positional and closed games. You'll have to decide whether to meet it with the symmetrical d5 or the flexible Nf6.

1... Nf6Black · your move

Develop your knight to f6. This flexible response prevents White from immediately playing e4 and keeps your options open. You are preparing to challenge the center while staying ready for various 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 standard follow-up to d4, looking to build a large pawn center. White could also choose the London System with Bf4 or the Catalan setup with g3, but c4 is the most challenging line.

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 solid move prepares to develop your kingside and supports a future d5 strike. It also opens a diagonal for your dark-squared 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 towards the center and preparing e4. This move allows the Nimzo-Indian Defense. White sometimes tries to avoid this with g3 (the Catalan) or a3 (the Anti-Nimzo) to keep the knight unpinned.

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 to the king. This is the defining move of the Nimzo-Indian. You are indirectly controlling the e4 square by neutralizing the knight that would support it.

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 reliable setup. Other aggressive tries include the Three Knights Variation with Nf3 or the sharp Kmoch Variation with f3, which aims to build a massive center immediately.

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. This is a crucial step in the Nimzo-Indian, ensuring your king is secure before the center opens up. It also brings your rook closer to the action on the e-file.

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, a classical developing move. White could also choose the Reshevsky Variation with Ne2 to avoid doubled pawns, or the Sämisch Variation with a3 to immediately put the question to 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

Strike at the center with d5. You are challenging White's d4 pawn and establishing a firm foothold in the middle of the board. This move transforms the game into a more classical 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 standard developing move that keeps the tension. White sometimes prefers Ne2 to keep the f-pawn free or plays a3 to force the bishop to trade or retreat before the knight arrives.

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. You are now attacking the White center from both sides. This creates a complex web of central tension that will eventually lead to an open or semi-open game.

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

7. O-OWhite

White castles, completing the initial development phase. The board is now set for a major confrontation in the center, where both players must manage the tension between the d4, d5, c4, and c5 pawns.

7... Nc6Black · your move

Bring your knight to c6. This move completes your minor piece development and adds a third attacker to the d4 pawn. You are fully mobilized and ready for the center to explode.

Other paths here: Nbd7 (Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric System) · b6 (Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric System, Keres Variation) · dxc4 (Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric System, Exchange Variation)

Where you stand

The position is a masterpiece of central tension. White must decide whether to play a3 to resolve the pin or maintain the status quo. Black's pieces are ideally placed to challenge the center. The game often revolves around whether White accepts doubled pawns on the c-file for the bishop pair or maintains a solid structure at the cost of less activity.

• b4-c3 Trade bishop for knight to double White's pawns
• a2-a3 Force the bishop to trade or retreat
• c6-a5 Knight eyes the c4 square or supports b6
• c1-d2 Complete development and connect the rooks
• f1-e1 Rook supports the center on the e-file