Nimzo-Indian Defense
ECO E20-E59intermediate
The Nimzo-Indian, 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4, is the defense White players most want to avoid — the reason 3.Nf3 and the Catalan exist. The pin on the c3 knight fights for the e4 square without occupying it, and Black happily trades the bishop for doubled c-pawns that become lifelong targets. It combines complete soundness with real winning chances and teaches the deepest themes in chess: structure vs. bishop pair, blockade, and the fight for one central square.
Main line
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.a3 Bxc3+ 5.bxc3 O-O 6.e3 c5 7.Bd3 Nc6
Diagram shows the position after 6 half-moves of the main line. On SpeakChess you can drill this line move by move — the trainer plays the other side and corrects you instantly, then spaced repetition schedules each variation so you review it right before you would forget it.
Win rates by rating
Results from real online games, measured after the line shown in each row. Most opening sites show one aggregate number — how an opening scores depends heavily on who is playing it.
| Rating | Games | White wins | Draws | Black wins | Position after |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 400-600 | 42 | 50% | 2.4% | 47.6% | 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 |
| 600-800 | 37 | 54.1% | 0% | 45.9% | 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 |
| 800-1000 | 272 | 55.1% | 1.8% | 43% | 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 |
| 1000-1200 | 36 | 41.7% | 0% | 58.3% | 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Qc2 O-O |
| 1200-1400 | 117 | 59% | 1.7% | 39.3% | 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Qc2 O-O |
Most played continuations (800-1000 rating)
After 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4:
- Bd2 — played 36.4% of the time (White wins 51.5%, draws 2%, Black wins 46.5%)
- Nf3 — played 17.6% of the time (White wins 56.2%, draws 2.1%, Black wins 41.7%)
- a3 — played 12.5% of the time (White wins 61.8%, draws 0%, Black wins 38.2%)
Frequently asked questions
Why is the Nimzo-Indian considered Black's best defense to 1.d4?
It scores better statistically than any other major defense and no White system achieves a stable edge against it. The strategic bargain — bishop pair for structure and control of e4 — creates balanced but unbalanced play where the better player wins, with none of the King's Indian's all-in risk.
What happens after White avoids the Nimzo with 3.Nf3?
Black chooses among the Queen's Indian (3...b6) keeping the same light-square strategy, the Bogo-Indian (3...Bb4+) insisting on the check, or transposing to QGD/Benoni structures. Most Nimzo players pair it with one of these as a complete repertoire against 1.d4.
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