Nimzo-Indian Defense · E51

Normal Variation, Ragozin Variation

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Nf3 d5

...Bb4 pins the knight that supports e4: Black fights for the light squares, often trades on c3 to damage the pawns, and plays structure against the bishop pair. White's knight on c3 is pinned against the king.

The first 4 moves, explained

• 1. d4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling e5, and frees the bishop and queen.
• 1... Nf6 Develops the knight to f6, eyeing d5 and e4.
• 2. c4 Fights for d5 from the flank - contesting the centre without committing a centre pawn.
• 2... e6 Supports the centre, adding control of d5.

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