ECO code: E30
Nimzo-Indian: Leningrad, 4...O-O
This variation arises after the moves 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Bg5 O-O. Black chooses to castle early, prioritizing king safety and flexibility in the center and queenside.
Characteristic of 4...O-O: This move is a solid and flexible choice. By castling, Black safeguards the king and prepares to challenge White's center later, often with ...d5 or ...c5. It also keeps options open for Black's light-squared bishop and other pieces.
Attacking or Defensive: For Black, 4...O-O is primarily a defensive and preparatory move, focusing on solid development rather than immediate aggression. White, having developed the bishop actively with 4.Bg5, maintains more direct pressure, so White’s stance is slightly more attacking at this point.
Center Control: This opening does involve contesting the center, but Black delays immediate central confrontation. Instead, Black waits to see how White commits in the center before striking back. White aims to control the center early with pawns on d4 and c4, while Black plans to challenge or undermine this center in due course.
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.
Practice puzzles and train your tactics with real positions from games that used the Nimzo-Indian: Leningrad, 4...O-O, and sharpen your opening mastery.
Puzzle 1 of 3 - Move #7 white