ECO E24 · Nimzo-Indian Defense

Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. a3

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Black to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

4… Bxc3++0.01

The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation (E24), reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. a3, Stockfish 18 recommends 4… Bxc3+ for Black. The position is roughly equal (+0.01).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.014… Bxc3+ 5. bxc3 b6 6. Qc2 Bb7 7. f3 Nc6 8. e4 Na5 9. Nh3
  2. +0.814… Be7 5. e4 d6 6. Nf3 c5 7. dxc5 dxc5 8. Bd3 Nc6 9. e5
  3. +1.114… Bf8 5. e4 d6 6. Nf3 Be7 7. Bd3 Nbd7 8. O-O e5 9. h3

Other move orders

  • 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. a3 Bxc3+ 5. bxc3 O-O
  • 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. a3 Bxc3+ 5. bxc3 c5 6. e3
  • 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3
  • 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. f3 d5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 c5 7. cxd5
  • 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 c5 5. Bd3 Nc6 6. a3 Bxc3+ 7. bxc3 O-O

Variations

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation?
After 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. a3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4… Bxc3+ for Black, continuing 5. bxc3 b6 6. Qc2 Bb7 7. f3 Nc6 8. e4 Na5 9. Nh3. The position is roughly equal (+0.01). The next best moves are 4… Be7 (+0.81) and 4… Bf8 (+1.11).
Is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.01: the position is roughly equal. Evaluations this early in the game are small, so practical results depend far more on knowing the plans and typical structures than on the engine's number.
What is the ECO code of the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation?
E24. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; E is the volume for indian defenses.

Opening names from the Lichess opening book (CC0). Pieces by Colin M.L. Burnett (GPLv2+).