Nimzo-Indian Defense

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

This opening was developed by Aron Nimzowitsch who introduced it in the early 20th century, though
the opening played between Steinitz and Englisch in 1882. Unlike most “Indian” openings the Nimzo-
Indian Defense does not involve an immediate fianchetto, although Black often plays b6 and Bb7. It can
also transpose into lines of the Queen's Gambit or Queen's Indian Defense The Nimzo-Indian is a very
popular and sound defense to 1.d4.

White’s Ideas / Goals Black’s Ideas / Goals

1. Control Center with pawns (Classical Strategy).
2. Play e4.
3. Castle (usually kingside).
4. Exploit advantage of Bishop pair.
5. Overcome disadvantage of development.
1. Control Center squares, especially e4, first with
pieces then pawns (hypermodern strategy).
2. Castle (usually kingside).
3. Fianchetto Queen’s bishop to b7 (typical)
4. For Bishop, Black normally gets doubled pawns
and Black gets rapid development.

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Nimzo-Indian Defense Variations:
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4

A. Rubinstein Variation (42%)

White supports the d4 pawn at the cost of temporarily trapping his Bishop on c1. Effectively, White
continues development before deciding on his final plan of action. White also plans on playing Bd3 and
Nf3 (or even Nge2). Black is usually able to have good development.
4. e3 O-O 5.Bd3 d5 6.Nf3 c5 7.O-O

A1. Main Line (42%)

7. …Nc6 8.a3 Bxc3 9.bxc3 dxc4 10.Bxc4 Qc7

A2. Parma Variation (37%)

7. …dxc4 8.Bxc4 Nbd7 9.Qe2 b6 10.Rd1 cxd4 11.exd4 Bb7

B. Classical Variation (33%)

The Classical (or Capablanca) variation is the safest and clearest variations for White. White intends to
win the Bishop pair without doubling his c pawns. However, White’s Queen will have to move again
and White’s Kingside is underdeveloped; therefore, Black’s compensation is a slight lead in
development which must be used right away.
1 2
4.Qc2 c5 5.dxc5 O-O 6.a3 Bxc5 7.Nf3 b6 8.Bg5 Bb7 9.e4 h6 10.Bh4 Be7
1
O-O 5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.Qxc3 b6 7.Bg5 Bb7 8.f3 h6 9.Bh4 d5 10.e3 Nbd7
11.cxd5 Nxd5 12.Bxd8 Nxc3
2
Bf4 Bb7 9.Rd1 Nc6 10.e3

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 Benoni Defense

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6

"Benoni" is a Hebrew term meaning

meaning "son of sorrow." The Benoni Defense is considered an aggressive
by Black and is typically seen as risky by many
many grandmasters. The most common Benoni Defense is the
Modern Benoni Defense and a good variation for White aginst the Benoni is the Taimanov.

Black threatens to exchange the c pawn against a central pawn. The objectively best solution for White
is to advance the pawn and play 3. d5, gaining space in the center. Black will typically fianchetto his
king´s bishop to g7, which supports an attack on the queenside. White will play for a central initiative.

White’s Ideas / Goals Black’s Ideas / Goals

1. Control Center with pawns (Classical Strategy).
2. Play e4, with possible e5 break.
3. Castle (usually kingside).
1. Control Center squares first with pieces then
pawns (hypermodern strategy).
2. Fianchetto King’s Bishop to g7 (typical)
3. Castle (usually kingside).
4.Queenside attack (typical)

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Benoni Defense Variations:
1
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6

1
b5 leads to the Benko Gambit (4.cxb5 a6 5.bxa6 Bxa6 …)

A. Classical (51%)
Black seeks to place his Knight on e5 and start an attack.
6. Nf3 g6 7.e4 Bg7 8.Be2 O-O 9.O-O Re8 10.Nd2 Nbd7

B. Four Pawns Attack / Taimanov (40%)

6.e4 g6 7.f4 Bg7

B1. Taimanov Variation (71%)

To avoid the Taimanov, some players will only play c5 after White plays Nc3 (i.e., 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4
e6 3.Nc3 c5).
8.Bb5+ Nfd7 9.Nf3 a6 10.Bd3 b5

B2. Four Pawns Attack (20%)

White seeks to get a strong pawn center.
8.Nf3 O-O 9.Be2 Re8 10.e5 dxe5 11.fxe5 Ng4

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 Queen’s Indian Defense

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6

The Queen’s Indian Defense (QID) gets it’s name from the fact that 3. …b6 prepares to the fianchetto
the Queen’s Bishop. The QID is closely related to the Nimzo-Indian Defense and is sometimes called
the sister opening of the Nimzo-Indian Defense. Black normally achieves active pieces and a sound
pawn structure.

White’s Ideas / Goals Black’s Ideas / Goals

1. Control Center with pawns (Classical Strategy).
2. Play e4, with possible e5 break.
3. Castle (usually kingside).
1. Control Center squares first with pieces then
pawns (hypermodern strategy).
2. Fianchetto Queen’s Bishop to b7 (typical)
3. Castle (usually kingside).
4.Queenside attack (typical)

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Queen’s Indian Defense Variations:
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6

A. Classical Variation (50%)

White plans on Fianchetto his King’s Bishop to control the central squares e4 and d5.
4.g3

A1. Classical Variation, Modern Main Line (56%)

Black attacks the c pawn, and White's best move is b3 but this weakens the dark squares.
4. ...Ba6 5.b3 Bb4+ 6.Bd2 Be7 7.Bg2 d5 8.Ne5 O-O 9.O-O c6 10.Bc3 Nfd7

A2. Classical Variation, Old Main Line (37%)

White gets more space in the center, but Black has no weaknesses and may choose from a variety
of plans.
4. ...Bb7 5.Bg2 Be7 6.O-O O-O 7.Nc3 Ne4 8.Qc2 Nxc3 9.Qxc3 c5 10.Rd1 d6

B. Petrosian Variation (21%)

White prepares Nc3. White gets a better pawn center and attacking chances on the kingside. Black will
have play on the Queenside.
1 2
4.a3 Bb7 5.Nc3 d5 6.cxd5 Nxd5 7.e3 Be7 8.Bb5+ c6 9.Bd3 O-O 10.Qc2 h6

1
Ba6 5.Qc2 Bb7 6.Nc3 c5 7.e4 cxd4 8.Nxd4 Bc5 9.Nb3 Nc6 10.Bg5 h6
2
Qc2 Nxc3 8.bxc3 c5 9.e4 Nd7 10.Bd3 Qc7

C. Russian Variation (19%)

White continues with development, but Black can easily equalize. Play can transpose into the Nimzo-
Indian Defense.
4.Nc3

C1. Russian Variation, 4. …Bb7 (52%)

4. …Bb7 5.a3 d5 6.cxd5 Nxd5 7.Qc2 Nxc3 8.bxc3 Be7 9.e4 O-O 10.Bd3 c5

C2. Russian Variation, 4. …Bb4 (45%)

4. … Bb4 5.Bg5 Bb7 6.e3 h6 7.Bh4 g5 8.Bg3 Ne4 9.Qc2 Bxc3+ 10.bxc3 d6

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 King’s Indian Defense

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6

The King’s Indian Defense (KID) gets its from the fact that Black’s move g6 prepares to fianchetto his
King’s Bishop to g7. The opening, like other hypermodern openings (e.g., QID, Nimzo-Indian, etc.),
were developed in the 1920’s and seek to control the center first with pieces and then with pawns.

In the King’s Indian Defense, Black allows White to setup a pawn center only to attack it with his pieces
and pawns. If White can firmly establish his control of the center, then Black will have a very cramped
position. Often the center become closed, and play will continue on the wings.

White’s Ideas / Goals Black’s Ideas / Goals

1. Control Center with pawns (Classical Strategy).
2. Play e4, with possible e5 break.
3. Castle kingside (typical).
1. Control Center squares first with pieces then
pawns (hypermodern strategy).
2. Fianchetto King’s Bishop to g7
3. Castle kingside.
4. Play e5 or c5 (central pawn break)

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King’s Indian Defense Variations:
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6

A. Main Line (71%)

3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6

A1. Classical Variation (41%)

White continues with normal development and plans for a queenside attack. White also plans on
playing c5, attacking the pawn chain. Black will attack kingside and will attack White’s pawn
chain with f5.
1
5.Nf3 O-O 6.Be2 e5 7.O-O Nc6 8.d5 Ne7 9.Ne1 Nd7 10.Be3 f5

1
b4 Nh5 10.Re1 f5

A2. Samisch Variation (23%)

White move f3 supports the pawn on e4, and hopes to establish a secure pawn center. White’s
plan is to castle queenside and attack kingside with pieces and the g and h pawns. Black’s plan
is similar for the queenside.
5.f3 O-O 6.Be3 e5 7.d5 c6 8.Qd2 cxd5 9.cxd5 a6 10.Bd3 Nbd7

A3. Averbakh Variation (20%)

White’s move 6.Bg5 prevents Black from playing e5, thus taking away space from Black. Black
normally replays with h6, but this move weakens the kingside.
5.Be2 O-O 6.Bg5 c5 7.d5 h6 8.Be3 e6 9.Qd2 exd5 10.cxd5 Re8

A4. Four Pawns Variation (6%)

White gets a massive pawn center, and could easily crush Black if not played properly by Black.
Black should try to open the position since he has developed pieces and White has only moved
pawns.
5.f4 O-O 6.Nf3 c5 7.d5 e6 8.Be2 exd5 9.cxd5 Re8 10.e5 dxe5 11.fxe5

B. Fianchetto Variation (22%)

White’s Bishop on g2 helps protect the King and control the center. Both players will aim for central
control.

1
3.Nf3 Bg7 4.g3 0-0 5.Bg2 d6 6.0-0 Nbd7 7.Nc3 e5 8.e4 c6 9.h3 Qb6 10.Re1 exd4 11.Nxd4

1
Nc6 7.Nc3 a6 8.h3 Rb8 9.e4 b5 10.e5 dxe5 11.dxe5 Qxd1 12.Rxd1 Nd7

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Opening Summary:

Nimzo-Indian Defense:
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4
Opening Moves Variation Name
4. e3 Nimzo-Indian Defense: Rubinstein
4. Qe2 Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical

Benoni Defense:
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6
Opening Moves Variation Name
6.Nf3 Benoni Defense: Classical Variation
6.e4 g6 7.f4 Bg7 8.Bb5+ Benoni Defense: Taimanov Variation
6.e4 g6 7.f4 Bg7 8.Nf3 Benoni Defense: Four Pawns Attack

Queen’s Indian Defense (QID):

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6
Opening Moves Variation Name
4.g3 Ba6 QID: Classical, Modern Line
4.g3 Bb7 QID: Classical, Modern Line
4.a3 QID: Petrosian Variation
4.Nc3 Bb7 QID: Russian, 4. ...Bb7
4.Nc3 Bb4 QID: Russian, 4. ...Bb4

Kings’s Indian Defense (KID):

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6
Opening Moves Variation Name
3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 KID: Classical
3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.f3 KID: Samisch
3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Be2 O-O 6.Bg5 KID: Averbakh
3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.f4 KID: Four Pawns
3.Nf3 Bg7 4.g3 0-0 5.Bg2 d6 6.0-0 KID: Fianchetto

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