Nimzo-Indian DefenseE43

St. Petersburg Variation

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 b6 5. Bd3 Bb7 6. Nf3 O-O

Open on the interactive board

Every move explained, never a dead end.

Both sides plans

White's plan

Occupy the center, develop quickly, castle, then pick a wing.

Black's plan

Contest the center before White occupies all of it.

The line, move by move

1. d4d4 occupies the center.
... Nf6Nf6 develops the knight and controls e4 and d5.
2. c4c4 controls d5.
... e6e6 controls d5.
3. Nc3Nc3 develops the knight and controls e4 and d5.
... Bb4Bb4 pins an enemy piece against its king, develops the bishop.
4. e3e3 controls d4.
... b6b6 repositions the pawn.
5. Bd3Bd3 develops the bishop and controls e4.
... Bb7Bb7 develops the bishop and controls e4 and d5.
6. Nf3Nf3 develops the knight and controls d4 and e5.
... O-OO-O castles short, tucking the king away and connecting the rooks.

Open on the interactive board

Other major variations

The complete Nimzo-Indian Defense guide See all 99 variations in the branch map

St. Petersburg Variation (E43) · Nimzo-Indian Defense · OpeningMate