Chess Openings·Nimzo-Indian Defence, Rubinstein Variation

Indian Defence

Nimzo-Indian Defence, Rubinstein Variation

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3

Step through

7 / 7
  1. 1.
  3. 2.
  5. 3.
  7. 4.

Tap a move to jump to that position.

Pieces, not pawns, are the ones that take the open squares. One of the oldest and most trodden paths in the game. Of the four central squares, pawns stand on d4. Nothing has been captured yet. Neither side has castled yet.

The position

Length
7 moves
To move
Black
Legal replies
33
Minor pieces out
White 1 · Black 2
Material
level
Castling rights left
KQkq
FEN
rnbqk2r/pppp1ppp/4pn2/8/1bPP4/2N1P3/PP3PPP/R1BQKBNR b KQkq - 0 4

Move by move

Each move spelled out: which piece went from where to where.

  1. 1.d4White: Pawn d2→d4
  2. 1…Nf6Black: Knight g8→f6
  3. 2.c4White: Pawn c2→c4
  4. 2…e6Black: Pawn e7→e6
  5. 3.Nc3White: Knight b1→c3
  6. 3…Bb4Black: Bishop f8→b4
  7. 4.e3White: Pawn e2→e3

Nearby lines

first 6 moves shared

Nimzo-Indian Defence…e6 Nc3 Bb4Catalan Opening…g3Queen's Indian Defence…Nf3 b6Bogo-Indian Defence…Nf3 Bb4Budapest Gambit…e5Old Indian Defence…d6

Common questions

Q. What are the moves of Nimzo-Indian Defence, Rubinstein Variation?

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3

Q. Which family does it belong to?

Indian Defence — 1.d4 Nf6, hitting the centre later instead of occupying it now.

Q. Who is to move next?

After 7 moves it is Black to move.