E26 Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation
E26 holds two named lines, all under the name Nimzo-Indian Defense. It leaves E24, a position of the same name, with 4...Bxc3+ 5.bxc3 c5 6.e3. That final move, by the e-pawn, covers d4 and f4 and opens a line for the queen on d1 and the bishop on f1. Of all other reference positions, the board of E41 (Rubinstein System) comes closest, five squares apart.
| # | White | Black |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | d4 | Nf6 |
| 2 | c4 | e6 |
| 3 | Nc3 | Bb4 |
| 4 | a3 | Bxc3+ |
| 5 | bxc3 | c5 |
| 6 | e3 |
Moves only E26 plays
Same as E27 up to 5.bxc3, then:
- 5...c5 The c-pawn advances two squares to c5, covering b4 and d4, opening a line for the queen on d8.
- 6.e3 The e-pawn advances to e3, covering d4 and f4, opening a line for the queen on d1 and the bishop on f1.
Lines filed under E26
Both share their first 11 plies, the whole reference line.
| Name | After the shared start | Plies |
|---|---|---|
| Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation | (the shared start itself) | 11 |
| Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, O’Kelly Variation | 6...b6 | 12 |
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, O’Kelly Variation
- 6...b6 The b-pawn advances to b6, covering a5 and c5, opening a line for the bishop on c8.
The road to E26
- 1.d4 … 3.Nc3three earlier stops: A40, A45, A50
- 3...Bb4E20 Nimzo-Indian Defense
- 4.a3E24 Sämisch Variation
- 6.e3E26
The position after 6.e3
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 could capture with cxd4. Black is to move and has 28 legal moves.
Closest boards in other codes
| Code | Line | Differs on |
|---|---|---|
| E28 | Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation | six squares: c5, c7, e8, f8, g8, h8 |
| E25 | Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation | seven squares: e2, f2, e3, f3, c4, d5, d7 |
| E40 | Nimzo-Indian Defense: Rubinstein System | seven squares: a2, b2, a3, c3, b4, c5, c7 |
| E42 | Nimzo-Indian Defense: Rubinstein System, Rubinstein Variation | seven squares: g1, a2, b2, e2, a3, c3, b4 |
| C18 | French Defense: Winawer Variation, Advance Variation | eight squares: c2, e3, c4, d5, e5, f6, d7, g8 |
| E29 | Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation | eight squares: f1, d3, c6, b8, e8, f8, g8, h8 |
| A19 | English Opening: Mikenas-Carls, Sicilian | nine squares: a2, b2, d2, a3, c3, e3, d4, e4 … |