Nimzo-Indian Defense: Three Knights Variation

Main line

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Nf3 O-O 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bh4 c5

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.

Move by move

The first 12 moves of the main line, explained one at a time. Every move of every variation is annotated like this inside the trainer — this page shows the opening moves so you can judge the explanations before signing up.

1. 1.d4 White advances the pawn to d4, staking a claim in the center and giving the bishop and queen room to develop.
2. 1...Nf6 The knight jumps to f6, a strong central square. It fights for control in the middle and gets ready to help defend.
3. 2.c4 White pushes the pawn to c4, building a big pawn center alongside d4 and opening lines for the pieces to come out.
4. 2...e6 Black advances the pawn to e6, giving the dark-squared bishop room to develop while keeping the center solid.
5. 3.Nc3 The knight moves to c3, a great central square. It supports the d4 pawn and helps control the important middle squares.
6. 3...Bb4 The bishop slides all the way to b4, putting pressure on the white knight on c3. This is the start of the Nimzo-Indian Defense!
7. 4.Nf3 The knight jumps to f3, a strong square near the center. It helps control e5 and supports the d4 pawn.
8. 4...O-O Black castles kingside, tucking the king safely behind the pawns and bringing the rook closer to the action.
9. 5.Bg5 The bishop moves out to g5, eyeing the black knight on f6. This active move puts pressure on black's pieces right away.
10. 5...h6 Black nudges the pawn to h6, asking the bishop what it plans to do. This little pawn move gives the king extra space too.
11. 6.Bh4 The bishop steps back to h4, staying on the diagonal and keeping an eye on the black knight on f6.
12. 6...c5 Black pushes the pawn to c5, challenging white's strong d4 pawn and fighting for space in the center.

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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.

Most played continuations (1400-1600 rating)

After 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Nf3 O-O 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bh4 c5:

• e3 — played 53.7% of the time (White wins 52.2%, draws 4.4%, Black wins 43.3%)
• d5 — played 20% of the time (White wins 43.3%, draws 6%, Black wins 50.7%)
• e4 — played 9.3% of the time (White wins 48.4%, draws 0%, Black wins 51.6%)

Related openings

• Nimzo-Indian Defense
• Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation
• Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation
• Nimzo-Indian Defense: Rubinstein System

Frequently asked questions

Why is 4.Nf3 popular at club level?

Because it is a natural developing move that keeps White out of theoretical minefields. There is no need to know the deep 4.Qc2 or 4.e3 branches; White completes development and plays chess. Black usually equalises with accurate play, but the positions are pleasant and the preparation burden is a fraction of the alternatives.

What does the 5.Bg5 pin achieve?

It adds pressure on the f6 knight, which is already carrying the load of controlling e4 and d5. Black's ...h6 and ...c5 challenge it immediately: the bishop must decide between retreating to h4 and taking on f6, conceding the bishop pair. That decision usually defines the character of the whole game.

Can Black transpose to something more familiar?

Frequently. With ...d5 the game becomes a Ragozin; with ...b6 it becomes a Nimzo/Queen's Indian hybrid; with ...c5 and ...d5 it can reach Benoni or hanging-pawn structures. Black players who already own one of those repertoires can steer there deliberately rather than learning new material for this move order.