Nimzo-Indian: Classical Variation
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 · E32–E39
Part of Nimzo-Indian Defense
Starting positionWhite to move
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Qc2 keeps the pawns, a3 keeps the bishop honest
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The idea
White defends the knight with the queen and keeps the pawn structure intact, accepting a slightly slower development for a healthy centre.
Main line: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Qc2 O-O 5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.Qxc3 b6 7.Bg5 Bb7 8.f3 d5
What White wants
- Keep the pawns doubled-free with Qc2 and a3
- Develop with Bg5, f3 and e4 and take the centre
- Attack on the kingside with the extra central space
What Black wants
- Fianchetto with ...b6 and ...Bb7 and pressure e4
- Trade pieces and play against the queen on c3
- Hit the centre with ...c5 and ...d5
Key idea
Understand this and the moves stop needing to be memorised.
Qc2 keeps the pawns, a3 keeps the bishop honest
Qc2 allows a queen recapture after ...Bxc3, preserving the pawns while giving White the bishop pair. The queen moves cost time. Black develops ...Bb7 to influence e4 and challenges the centre with ...d5 or ...c5; b7 is not aimed at c3.
Common mistake
Spending more queen tempi while the king remains in the centre. Qc2 and Qxc3 protect the pawn structure but do not complete development; before e4, check Black's central breaks and bring the remaining pieces into play.
Representative position
The position this opening is aiming at. Copy the FEN, or open it in the analysis board and let the engine tell you what it is worth.
rn1q1rk1/pbp2ppp/1p2pn2/3p2B1/2PP4/P1Q2P2/1P2P1PP/R3KBNR w KQ - 0 9
Analyze this position