E25 Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation
E25 holds three named lines, all under the name Nimzo-Indian Defense. It leaves E20 (Nimzo-Indian Defense: Kmoch Variation) with 4...d5 5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.bxc3 c5 7.cxd5. When the reference line ends, White is one pawn up on material. Three captures are made along the reference line, the second-highest count of the 40 Nimzo-Indian Defense codes.
| # | White | Black |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | d4 | Nf6 |
| 2 | c4 | e6 |
| 3 | Nc3 | Bb4 |
| 4 | f3 | d5 |
| 5 | a3 | Bxc3+ |
| 6 | bxc3 | c5 |
| 7 | cxd5 |
Moves only E25 plays
Same as E20 up to 3...Bb4, then:
- 4.f3 The f-pawn advances to f3, covering e4 and g4.
- 4...d5 The d-pawn advances two squares to d5, covering c4 and e4, opening a line for the bishop on c8 and the queen on d8.
- 5.a3 The a-pawn advances to a3, covering b4, opening a line for the rook on a1, attacking the bishop on b4.
- 5...Bxc3+ The bishop on b4 takes the knight on c3, giving check.
- 6.bxc3 The b-pawn takes the bishop on c3, covering b4 and d4, opening a line for the bishop on c1.
- 6...c5 The c-pawn advances two squares to c5, covering b4 and d4, opening a line for the queen on d8.
- 7.cxd5 The c-pawn takes the pawn on d5, covering c6 and e6.
Lines filed under E25
All three share their first 13 plies, the whole reference line.
| Name | After the shared start | Plies | At the end |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation | (the shared start itself) | 13 | White +1 |
| Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Keres Variation | 7...Nxd5 8.dxc5 | 15 | White +1 |
| Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Romanovsky Variation | 7...Nxd5 8.dxc5 f5 | 16 | White +1 |
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Keres Variation
- 7...Nxd5 The knight on f6 takes the pawn on d5, opening a line for the queen on d8.
- 8.dxc5 The d-pawn takes the pawn on c5, covering b6 and d6, opening a line for the queen on d1.
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Romanovsky Variation
- 7...Nxd5 The knight on f6 takes the pawn on d5, opening a line for the queen on d8.
- 8.dxc5 The d-pawn takes the pawn on c5, covering b6 and d6, opening a line for the queen on d1.
- 8...f5 The f-pawn advances two squares to f5, covering e4 and g4.
The road to E25
- 1.d4 … 3.Nc3three earlier stops: A40, A45, A50
- 3...Bb4E20 Nimzo-Indian Defense
- 4.f3E20 Kmoch Variation
- 7.cxd5E25
The position after 7.cxd5
Black has brought out the knight on f6; White has not yet moved a knight or bishop. White has a half-open b-file; Black a half-open d-file. Black could capture with Nxd5, Qxd5, cxd4, exd5. Undefended and attacked: the pawn on d5. Black is to move and has 35 legal moves.
Closest boards in other codes
| Code | Line | Differs on |
|---|---|---|
| E26 | Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation | seven squares: e2, f2, e3, f3, c4, d5, d7 |
| C18 | French Defense: Winawer Variation, Advance Variation | eight squares: c2, e2, f2, f3, d5, e5, f6, g8 |
| D41 | Queen’s Gambit Declined: Semi-Tarrasch Defense | eight squares: g1, a2, b2, f2, a3, c3, f3, f8 |
| C19 | French Defense: Winawer Variation, Positional Variation | nine squares: g1, c2, e2, f2, f3, d5, e5, f6 … |
| D40 | Queen’s Gambit Declined: Semi-Tarrasch Defense | ten squares: g1, a2, b2, f2, a3, c3, f3, c4 … |
| E24 | Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation | ten squares: b2, f2, c3, f3, b4, c4, c5, d5 … |
| A60 | Benoni Defense: Modern Variation | 11 squares: b1, a2, b2, f2, a3, c3, f3, c4 … |