← Nimzo-Indian Defense

Practice: Spielmann Variation (4.Nf3)

Natural development without commitment

White simply develops naturally with Nf3, keeping options open. A flexible approach that can transpose into many different Nimzo and Queen's Gambit structures.

1. d4 Nf6
2. c4 e6
3. Nc3 Bb4
4. Nf3 O-O
5. Bg5 c5
6. Rc1 cxd4
7. Nxd4 h6
♟

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Key strategic ideas

  • Black pins the knight on c3 with ...Bb4, stopping White from playing e4 and building the ideal centre.
  • White can force the trade (a3, then Bxc3, doubling the c-pawns but getting the bishop pair) or avoid it (Qc2, keeping the knight but allowing Black to put pressure on the queenside).
  • The Rubinstein Variation (4.e3) is the solid choice. White develops simply and recaptures on c3 with the d-pawn, keeping the centre strong.

Common mistakes & traps

  • After 4.Qc2 d5 5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.Qxc3, Black can play 6...Ne4! attacking the queen and forcing it to retreat. This gains a free tempo for central expansion.
  • The Leningrad Variation (4.Bg5 h6 5.Bh4 c5 6.d5 d6) is very sharp. If Black pushes ...b5 too early, White can strike with Bxf6 and Qd2.

Pawn structure notes

If Bxc3 is played, White gets doubled c-pawns but the two bishops and a solid centre (d4-e3). Black has more pawns on the queenside and can create a passed pawn in many endgames.

Tips

  • 4.Nf3 is deceptively simple — White keeps all options open
  • Black must decide whether to capture on c3, trade on d4, or maintain the tension
  • A practical choice that avoids the heavy theory of the main Nimzo lines

About this line

This line is rated intermediate. Practice it repeatedly until you can play the entire sequence without thinking. The in-app trainer tracks your perfect streaks and celebrates milestones.