Nimzo-Indian Defence
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4
Meet 1.d4 with a plan that is part chess, part judo. After 3.Nc3 Bb4, Black pins White's knight and fights for the key e4-square with pieces rather than pawns. Trade the bishop for the knight at the right moment and White is often left with doubled pawns to nurse – one of the soundest replies to the Queen's Pawn.
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What it does
The pin on c3 attacks the knight guarding e4, so the whole struggle revolves around that square. Black often follows with ...d5 and ...c5 to hit White's centre, and frequently swaps the bishop for the knight, handing White doubled c-pawns in return for the bishop pair. That creates a clear imbalance: Black plays against the doubled pawns and weak light squares, while White seeks open lines and the two bishops.
When to use it
Choose it when you answer 1.d4 with 1...Nf6 and want a sound, principled system that rewards clear strategic plans over wild tactics. It suits players who enjoy piece play and structural targets rather than long forcing lines, and it scales from club level to elite play. It only appears if White plays 3.Nc3, so pair it with a partner (Queen's Indian or Bogo-Indian) for when White avoids that move.
Why it works
By pinning the knight, Black contests e4 at once and develops with tempo, so White cannot build a broad pawn centre unchallenged. The option to trade on c3 gives Black a concrete, long-term target in the doubled pawns, while ...d5 and ...c5 ensure central counterplay. White's main tries are all met by well-understood plans, which is why the Nimzo has been a world-championship fixture for nearly a century.
Key ideas
- Fight for e4 with pieces; the pin on c3 is the engine of Black's plan.
- Strike the centre with ...d5 and ...c5 to pressure White's d4-pawn.
- Trade Bxc3 to saddle White with doubled c-pawns as a lasting target.
- Develop quickly and castle early; the bishop has already done its job.
- Aim rooks and a knight at the weak doubled pawns and light squares.
- Keep flexibility – delay committing pawns until White shows his set-up.
Watch out
Do not capture on c3 too early or without purpose: giving up the bishop pair before White is committed to recapturing with a pawn can simply hand White a strong centre and open lines with no compensation. Time the exchange so it actually inflicts doubled pawns or wins a clear tempo.