This opening is defined by the position shown on the board below. The moves displayed are a typical sequence that leads to it, but different sequences can reach the same position and still carry the same opening name.
Name: Nimzo-Indian Defense
Moves: 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4
FEN: rnbqk2r/pppp1ppp/4pn2/8/1bPP4/2N5/PP2PPPP/R1BQKBNR w KQkq - 2 4
The Nimzo-Indian Defense is a highly respected and flexible opening choice for Black against 1.d4. Its characteristic move, 3...Bb4, pins White’s knight on c3, immediately putting pressure on White’s center and threatening to disrupt White’s pawn structure after potential exchanges on c3.
Characteristic: The move 3...Bb4 is the defining feature of the Nimzo-Indian, combining piece development with indirect pressure on the center by targeting the knight that supports White’s central pawns.
Attacking or Defensive: For Black, the Nimzo-Indian is primarily an attacking opening aimed at controlling key squares and creating structural weaknesses in White’s camp. For White, the game often revolves around counter-attacking the center and trying to maintain or gain central space.
Center Control: While Black does not immediately occupy the center with pawns, the Nimzo-Indian exerts strong pressure on the center through piece play and potential pawn breaks later in the game. White usually tries to build and maintain a strong center, but Black’s setup is designed to challenge and undermine it strategically.
Practice puzzles and train your tactics with real positions from games that used the Nimzo-Indian Defense, and sharpen your opening mastery.
Puzzle 1 of 115 - Move #4 black
You can also discover how top players used Nimzo-Indian Defense to leverage key strategies to secure victories in these classic matchups.