Top-Level Repertoire against the Nimzo-Indian Defence - Part 2
After the highly successful Top-Level Repertoire against the Nimzo-Indian Defence - Part 1, GM Pier Luigi Basso completes his repertoire with the second and final part of the series.
The initial position of our repertoire is being reached after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Qc2
The current database covers the continuations 4...d6, 4...c5, and the most important 4...d5. As usual, Basso provides top-notch analysis backed up with many fresh concepts and new ideas.
The course consists of 12 theoretical chapters, 4 model games, 20 interactive test positions, and a Video Version (3h and 28min Running Time).
This is our first multilingual database. You can download the PGN file in four different languages - English, Deutsch, French, and Spanish.
Now, let's take a brief look at the theoretical suggestions in the database.
Chapter 1 deals with the move 4...d6.
A very flexible move. White and Black must be precise about move orders, especially depending on whether White plays Nf3 (where the e5 plan is favorable for Black) or Ne2 (where the c5+d5 plan benefits Black). Thus, White should start with useful moves like e3-Bd3 and only develop Ng1 after Black has committed to e5 (then Nge2) or c5 (then Nf3). Analysis shows that White can rely on a slight advantage in this system.
Another very important system is 4...c5.
In the past, this was regarded as the main line, along with 4...O-O. Nowadays, it has fallen out of fashion, as White can exert pressure in various ways. However, with precise and informed play, Black can still achieve a playable position.
After 5.dxc5, Black is at crossroads.
Black's main continuation in this position is 5...0-0. All the sidelines are examined in Chapter 2.
A very important tabiya for this line of the Nimzo-Indian Defence arises after 5...0-0 6.a3 Bxc5 7.Nf3
Here, Black can choose to play a Hedgehog structure, typically with b6, or opt for d5. This position is examined in Chapters 3 and 4. The conclusion is that Black can equalize with a very precise play, but White can pose practical problems.
The next two chapters deal with the line 4...d5 5.cxd5 Qxd5
This creative approach was first used by Oleg Romanishin in 1991, although it was only in 1993, in his game against Beliavsky, that he showed the key idea: 6.Nf3 Qf5! The main recommendation in this course will be 6.e3 c5 7.Bd2 Bxc3 8.bxc3!? and will be analyzed in Chapter 6. In Chapter 5, GM Basso investigates the history of the line, the possible direction, and offer a safe alternative for White 8.Bxc3, where he is playing very risk-free, and Black needs to know and understand in order to fight for clear equality.
The remaining chapters of the database deal with the position arising after 4...d5 5.cxd5 exd5 6.Bg5 h6 7.Bh4
This position has always been considered one of the most dynamic and sharp tabiyas in the Nimzo-Indian Defence. Chapter 7 deals with the straightforward 7...g5 8.Bg3 Ne4. GM Basso provides in-depth analysis of this position. The conclusion is that Black cannot rely on full equality.
In Chapter 8, the author examines the so-called Ragozin approach, which is based on 7...c5 8.dxc5 g5 9.Bg3 Ne4. In the arising dynamic and complicated positions, the priceo of each move is higher for Black.
Chapter 9 deals with 7...0-0
Black wants to play with c7-c5, and after dxc5, some IQPs are arising. For White, it will be all about getting a good version of those positions. Now we need to understand what "good version" means. Usually, in those positions, Black tries to create something before White is able to stabilize the position (d5-d4 break, or Rc8-Be7-Nfe4 fast, for example). If White is able to prevent all Black's concrete ideas, "usually," then he has succeeded in his task. Then we can say that White is happy if he can get a "playable" position, where at some point the isolated pawn can start to be felt as a weakness.
The final three chapters feature 7...Nc6
A very critical and popular line nowadays. White will have strategically better positions in most of the cases, but Black hopes to have enough dynamic counterplay.
The most critical position is being reached after 8.e3 g5 9.Bg3 h5 10.Bb5! h4 11.Be5
At this point, Black can try three approaches:
1) The modern 11...Rh6 is covered in Chapter 10
2) The move 11...Bxc3+, which was played recently by some strong players, is covered in Chapter 11
3) The line 11...0-0 12.h3 Nxe5!? suggested by GM Benjamin Bok is examined in Chapter 12.
SAMPLE CHAPTER
SAMPLE VIDEO