Theoria
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Nimzo-Indian Defense

Normal Variation, Classical Defense

E48solidpositional

  1. 1.d4Nf6
  2. 2.c4e6
  3. 3.Nc3Bb4
  4. 4.e3O-O
  5. 5.Bd3d5
2,099 games49%44%

Nimzo-Indian line in which Black meets 5. Bd3 with 5...d5, setting up a Queen's Gambit-type center; roughly balanced and strategically rich.

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About the Classical Defense

The Classical Defense, ECO E48, answers 5. Bd3 with 5...d5. Black stakes a claim in the center and blunts the bishop's pressure on e4 before choosing between ...c5 and ...b6. Online, 6. Ne2 is the most frequent reply. Next comes 6. Nf3, which becomes the Gligoric System after 6...c5. The third option is 6. a3, the Botvinnik System, in which White accepts doubled c-pawns after 6...Bxc3+ 7. bxc3. The engine rates the position as roughly balanced.

Popular continuations