How to beat the Nimzo-Indian Defense

Black pins the c3 knight and is often happy to give up the bishop pair to wreck White's pawns. It's one of the best-respected defences in chess.

Three plans that work

1. Play 4.Qc2 to keep your pawns healthy

If Black takes on c3, recapture with the queen and you keep the two bishops with no doubled pawns.

2. Or avoid it entirely with 3.Nf3

Many club Nimzo players are less prepared for the Queen's Indian or Bogo lines that follow.

3. Use the bishop pair in open positions

When you get the bishops, open lines with e4 or f3 plus e4 and let them work.

A line to play

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Qc2 O-O 5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.Qxc3

The pitfall

Lines with doubled c-pawns need precise play. Only enter them if you know the ideas.

What the data says

In 31 recent games of the top 100 titled Lichess players featuring the Nimzo-Indian Defense, they scored 69% on average. Players who use it most: FM Romaa2011 (81%), GM Sigma_Tauri (62%), IM rehbwf (62%), GM cutemouse83 (71%).

Prepare against the actual player

Averages only go so far. A Nimzo-Indian Defense player has their own pet variations and weak spots. Before your next game, get a free fingerprint of your opponent, or get the full prep report ($5): every variation they play, where they score worst, and a game plan for both colours.