Nimzo-Indian: Leningrad Variation
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 · E30
Part of Nimzo-Indian Defense
Starting positionWhite to move
0 / 14
Two pins, two different problems
- 1.
- 2.
- 3.
- 4.
- 5.
- 6.
- 7.
The idea
White develops the bishop to g5 before anything else, creating a double pin and a sharp, unbalanced position with a big centre.
Main line: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Bg5 h6 5.Bh4 c5 6.d5 Bxc3+ 7.bxc3 d6
What White wants
- Keep the pin on f6 and gain space with d5
- Accept doubled c-pawns for the bishop pair and the centre
- Attack on the kingside with e4 and f4
What Black wants
- Kick the bishop with ...h6 and trade on c3
- Attack the doubled pawns and the advanced d5 pawn
- Trade pieces and reach an endgame with the better structure
Key idea
Understand this and the moves stop needing to be memorised.
Two pins, two different problems
White's bishop pins Nf6 to the queen, while Black's bishop pins Nc3 to the king. After ...h6 and Bh4, Black can exchange on c3 to damage the pawns, but concedes the bishop pair. White seeks central space to make those bishops useful.
Common mistake
Assuming the advanced d5 pawn is secure simply because it gains space. Black's ...d6 and central pressure require a response. Prepare e4 and develop the kingside rather than treating doubled c-pawns and two bishops as an automatic advantage.
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.
rnbqk2r/pp3pp1/3ppn1p/2pP4/2P4B/2P5/P3PPPP/R2QKBNR w KQkq - 0 8
Analyze this position