Nimzo-Indian: Main Line, 8...dxc4 9.Bxc4 cxd4

Before the first move

The Nimzo-Indian is a sophisticated struggle for control of the center. In this main line, White accepts a solid structure while Black uses early piece activity and pawn strikes to challenge White's central dominance. You will navigate a complex series of trades that clarify the central tension and set the stage for a rich middlegame.

1. d4White · your move

Push your pawn to d4. This move immediately claims space in the center and opens paths for your queen and dark-squared bishop. It is the foundation of many strategic openings.

1... Nf6Black

Black responds with Nf6, the most popular way to meet d4. By developing the knight, Black maintains flexibility. Other choices like the Englund Gambit (e5) or the Dutch Defense (f5) are much more provocative.

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 hallmark of the Queen's Gambit family, putting further pressure on the d5-square and preparing to develop your knight behind the pawn.

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 plays e6, preparing to challenge the center. This move often leads to the Queen's Gambit Declined or, as we will see, the Nimzo-Indian. Alternatives like b6 (the Queen's Indian) or the sharper Benoni with c5 are also common.

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. You are increasing your control over d5 and e4, putting pressure on the center and preparing for a full central occupation.

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 to the king. This prevents White from easily playing e4. White can choose from many systems here, including the solid Rubinstein (e3), the aggressive Classical (Qc2), or the Kasparov Variation (Nf3).

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 prepares to develop your kingside pieces. This is the Rubinstein System, one of the most respected and solid ways to play against the Nimzo.

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 early, a standard and safe move. Black could also challenge the center immediately with c5 or d5, leading to different pawn structures, but castling is the most flexible choice here.

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

Develop your knight to f3. This move controls the e5-square and prepares your kingside for castling. You are completing your minor piece development in a very classical fashion.

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

5... d5Black

Black plays d5, striking at the center. This is a very solid reply. Black could also try b6 (the Queen's Indian style) or c5 (challenging the base of the d4 pawn) to create different types of pressure.

Other paths here: b6 (Nimzo-Indian: 4.e3 O-O 5.Nf3 b6) · c5 (Nimzo-Indian: 4.e3 O-O 5.Nf3 c5) · Ne4 (Nimzo-Indian: 4.e3 O-O 5.Nf3 Ne4)

6. Bd3White · your move

Develop your bishop to d3. This is an active square for the bishop, where it eyes the kingside and supports the center. You are now ready to castle and complete your initial setup.

Other paths here: a3 (Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Sämisch Deferred) · Be2 (Nimzo-Indian: 4.e3 O-O 5.Nf3 d5 6.Be2)

6... c5Black

Black plays c5, the most energetic response. By attacking d4, Black forces White to make a decision about the central tension. Alternatives include Nc6 or b6, but c5 is the most principled challenge.

Other paths here: Nc6 (Nimzo-Indian: 4.e3 O-O 5.Nf3 d5 6.Bd3 Nc6) · b6 (Nimzo-Indian: Main Line, 6...b6 7.O-O)

7. O-OWhite · your move

Castle your king to safety. Your king is now tucked away, and your rooks are connected. You have completed the first stage of the game and are ready for the coming central trades.

Other paths here: a3 (Nimzo-Indian: Main Line, 6...c5 7.a3)

7... Nc6Black

Black plays Nc6, adding a third attacker to the d4 pawn. This is the most common continuation. Black could also choose to capture on c4 immediately or play b6 to develop the light-squared bishop.

Other paths here: Bd7 (Nimzo-Indian: Main Line, 7...Bd7) · dxc4 (Nimzo-Indian: Main Line, 7...dxc4) · b6 (Nimzo-Indian: Main Line, Keres, 8.cxd5 exd5)

8. a3White · your move

Move your pawn to a3. You are finally challenging the bishop on b4. This forces Black to either trade the bishop for your knight or retreat it, clarifying the situation on the queenside.

Other paths here: cxd5 (Nimzo-Indian: Main Line, 7...Nc6 8.cxd5)

8... dxc4Black

Black captures on c4. This is a sharp choice that forces the white bishop to recapture. Other strong moves include retreating the bishop to a5 or trading on c3, both of which lead to very different types of games.

Other paths here: Ba5 (Nimzo-Indian: Main Line, 7...Nc6 8.a3 Ba5) · cxd4 (Nimzo-Indian: Main Line, 7...Nc6 8.a3 cxd4) · Bxc3 (Nimzo-Indian: Main Line, 8...Bxc3)

9. Bxc4White · your move

Capture back on c4 with your bishop. This move recovers the pawn and keeps your bishop on an active diagonal. You are maintaining a strong presence in the center.

9... cxd4Black

Black captures on d4, completing the central liquidation. This is the main line of this variation. Black could also have played Ba5 first, but trading on d4 is the most direct way to reach this endgame-like middlegame.

Other paths here: Ba5 (Nimzo-Indian: Main Line, 7...Nc6 8.a3 dxc4 9.Bxc4 Ba5)

Where you stand

The central tension has been resolved, leading to a position with an isolated queen's pawn for White if they recapture with the pawn, or a very active piece setup if they use the knight. White will look to use their space and piece activity to launch an attack, while Black will aim to blockade the isolated pawn and use the queenside majority in the long run.

• c3-b5 Knight leaps forward to pressure d4 and b7.
• a3-b4 White will likely capture the bishop on b4.
• c8-d7 Develop the light-squared bishop to complete development.
• a8-c8 Bring the rook to the open c-file.