Opening for Black · advanced
Nimzo-Indian Defense
As Black, pin White's c3 knight to stop e4 and threaten to double White's pawns.
touch_appPlay the Nimzo-Indian Defense yourself. Make each move for Black; the coach explains as you go.
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Move by move
- 1. d4
Queen's pawn.
- 1... Nf6
1...Nf6.
- 2. c4
White expands.
- 2... e6
2...e6 frees the dark-squared bishop.
- 3. Nc3
White prepares e4.
- 3... Bb4
3...Bb4, the Nimzo! The c3 knight is pinned, so e4 is hard to play, and ...Bxc3 can double White's pawns.
What club players answer
After 1.d4 Nf6, these are the moves White meets most often at club level, weighted the way our bots choose them so they play like people.
c450%
Nf330%
Bf410%
Bg510%
How to remember it
...Nf6, ...e6, then pin the c3 knight.
Variations to know next
Opening code E20, Nimzo-Indian Defense.
- Nimzo-Indian, Classical (E32): 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Qc2
- Nimzo-Indian, Huebner (E41): 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3