KP - Nimzovich defence

The Nimzovich Defence arises after 1.e4 Nc6. ECO code: B00.

History

Named after Aron Nimzowitsch (1886–1935), the father of hypermodernism, though there is debate about whether he actually played this move regularly. The knight develops to a natural square and contests the e5 and d4 squares.

Main Lines

• 2.d4 – The main move, occupying the centre. Black may play 2...d5, 2...e5, or 2...d6.

• 2.Nf3 – Flexible, may transpose into various systems.

Strategic Themes & Plans

Black aims for a flexible setup where the knight on c6 supports central play. Unlike ...e5 or ...c5, this move does not commit Black's pawns. The drawback is that the knight blocks the c-pawn, limiting some pawn structures.