Current position
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Keres Variation
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4
The Nimzo-Indian Defense starts with 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 and is catalogued under ECO E20, in the indian defenses half of the book. The catalog indexes 99 lines inside it, grouped into 68 named variations, and the position after those moves has 1 playable continuation to walk from here.
Root edges show how often each move is played around your Elo. Use the arrow on a position to reveal the next replies.
Current setup
Move ideas
Takes central space with a protected pawn and frees the queen’s bishop.
Idea: Build a stable center that supports a broad positional setup.
Develops a knight and prevents White from occupying e4 unchallenged.
Idea: Keep the central pawns flexible and choose an Indian setup after White commits.
Advances the c-pawn to gain queenside space and control new squares.
Idea: Create useful wing space while keeping the central structure flexible.
Advances to e6 to claim central space and control nearby key squares.
Idea: Give the pieces room to develop behind a durable central foothold.
Develops the knight to c3, bringing it into the game.
Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.
Develops the bishop to b4, bringing it into the game.
Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.
Advances the f-pawn to gain kingside space and control new squares.
Idea: Create useful wing space while keeping the central structure flexible.
Advances to d5 to claim central space and control nearby key squares.
Idea: Give the pieces room to develop behind a durable central foothold.
Advances the a-pawn to gain queenside edge space and control new squares.
Idea: Create useful wing space while keeping the central structure flexible.
Captures the knight on c3 and changes the local pawn or piece balance, forcing the king to answer a check.
Idea: Remove an active defender and improve the moving piece’s influence.
Captures the bishop on c3 and changes the local pawn or piece balance.
Idea: Open lines in the queenside and reshape the center for the next phase.
Advances the c-pawn to gain queenside space and control new squares.
Idea: Create useful wing space while keeping the central structure flexible.
Captures the pawn on d5 and changes the local pawn or piece balance.
Idea: Open lines in the center and reshape the center for the next phase.
Captures the pawn on d5 and changes the local pawn or piece balance.
Idea: Remove an active defender and improve the moving piece’s influence.
Captures the pawn on c5 and changes the local pawn or piece balance.
Idea: Open lines in the queenside and reshape the center for the next phase.
Waiting for Lichess game popularity.
Each line below is an indexed entry under Nimzo-Indian Defense. Open one to load it on the board and keep exploring from that position.
44 more named lines sit inside this family — the tree above walks all of them.
ECO groups openings by the structures they lead to, so these families tend to share plans with the Nimzo-Indian Defense.