ECO E20 · for Black
Nimzo-Indian Defense
The line below is what Lichess 1600-1800 players actually play: after the opening's defining moves, each move is the most common choice at that point. The notes are Chessbook's move notes, the same ones shown while building a repertoire.
2,733,073 games in this band reached the Nimzo-Indian Defense position. From there Black won 46% and drew 4%.
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Bg5 h6 5. Bh4 g5 6. Bg3 Ne4 7. Qc2
Moves 1 to 2
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6
1. d4
The Queen's Pawn opening is more usually more positional in nature, White intends to develop the pieces while having a share of the center.
1... Nf6
Preventing e4 while developing a piece.
2. c4
Controlling some central squares using a flank pawn before playing Nc3
2... e6
Preparing for a solid setup with d5, often leading to the Queen's Gambit Declined or the Nimzo-Indian Defense. This move also frees the dark-squared bishop.
Moves 3 to 4
3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Bg5 h6
3. Nc3
Aiming to establish control over the center and preparing for a potential e4 push, which can lead to a strong pawn center.
3... Bb4
Indirectly preventing e4 by pinning the knight, and threatening to double black's pawns with Bxc3.
4. Bg5
- 4. Nf3: Developing the knight and strengthening the center.
- 4. Qc2: Aiming to avoid doubled c-pawns, by protecting the knight with the queen.
4... h6
Moves 5 to 7
5. Bh4 g5 6. Bg3 Ne4 7. Qc2
5. Bh4
5... g5
6. Bg3
6... Ne4
7. Qc2
Plans for Black in this position
What Black usually does from here in Chessbook's games data. Hover a move to see it on the board.
- The knight on e4 typically captures the bishop on g3
- The bishop on b4 generally captures the knight on c3
- The queenside knight usually develops to c6
- The queen often develops to f6
- Common pawn moves are f5, d6, and b6
Related opening guides
- Sicilian Defense for Black
- French Defense for Black
- Scandinavian Defense for Black
- Caro-Kann Defense for Black
- Scandinavian Defense: Mieses-Kotroc Variation for Black
- Philidor Defense for Black