Nimzo-Indian Defense · E52

Normal Variation, Schlechter Defense, after 4... b6

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 b6 5. Bd3 Bb7 6. Nf3 O-O 7. O-O d5

Black's queenside bishop takes the long diagonal. ...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.

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.

Sign in to read every move's note and train this line — 10 more moves in this line, 14 in all.