Understand the Nimzo-Indian Defence
Introduction and Free Preview
The camp Understand the Nimzo-Indian Defence is already a digital product. This product includes all the videos from the masterclass as well as the PGN file related to the training sessions. Overall, the material consists of approximately 8 hours of video and a PGN database which includes 50 files!
You will find the following lectures:
Dark Square Strategy - GM Petar Arnaudov
Typical Positions with Doubled Pawns on c3 and c4 - GM Grigor Grigorov
Light Square Strategy - GM Mihail Marin
Theoretical Trends after 4.f3, 4.Nf3 and 4.Bg5 - GM Boris Avrukh
Theoretical Trends after 4.Qc2 and 4.e3 - GM Michael Roiz
In this article, we will briefly present some interesting moments taken from the lectures
Dark Square Strategy
In this lecture, GM Arnaudov explains the ideas of the so-called dark square strategy. This strategy is very typical in Nimzo-Indian Defence. The main rule is that when we exchange our dark square bishop for the opponent's knight we are trying to put all our pawns on the dark squares. The global idea behind this approach is to restrict the opponent's bishop. This strategy is an excellent way to play for a win with Black because we create an imbalance early in the game.
The PGN version of the lecture consists of 10 extensively annotated model games and 5 test positions.
Below, we shall take a look at one of the examples.
Typical Positions with Doubled Pawns on c3 and c4
The positions with doubled pawns are very important for the understanding of the Nimzo-Indian Defence. In the current lecture, GM Grigor Grigorov provides in-depth coverage of this topic.
In the PGN version of the lecture, GM Grigorov introduces the topic in the following way:
Let's take a look at the initial position of the Nimzo-Indian Defence arising after the moves 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4
Already at this point, it transpires that in many cases Black is ready to give his dark-squared bishop for the knight. Very often, this exchange leads to the formation of doubled pawns on c2 and c3. Therefore, studying the positions with doubled pawns is essential for every Nimzo-Indian player. Before diving into the subtleties of the arising structures, I would like to make some general remarks. In the vast majority of the positions, after giving his dark-squared bishop away, Black arranges his pawns on dark squares. For example, moves like ...d7-d6 followed by ...e6-e5 always come into consideration. Another typical strategy is to put pressure on the c4-pawn by means of ...b7-b6 followed by ...Ba6 and the manoeuvre...Nc6-a5. Meanwhile, Black should know how to prevent White's play in the centre and on the kingside. Another important point features the possible exchanges. After giving his bishop for the c3-knight, it's clear that Black will be playing mostly on the light squares. He controls the light squares with three minor pieces while White does it only with two minor pieces. As you will see from the examples, the light-square strategy is best executed when Black gets a position with queen + knight versus queen + dark-squared bishop. I hope that besides improving your understanding of the Nimzo-Indian Defence, this lecture will improve your chess in general.
The PGN version of the lecture features 11 extensively annotated model games and 6 test positions.
Below, we offer to your attention one of the model games.
Light Square Strategy
In this lecture, GM Mihail Marin introduces another major concept in Nimzo-Indian Defence - the so-called Light Square Strategy. In the introduction to the lecture, he emphasizes the foundation of this strategy by taking a look at the initial position of the Nimzo-Indian Defence.
In his comments to this initial position, Marin states, "With this move, Black weakens White's control over the important light squares on d5 and e4. His main intention might seem to be precisely to play on light squares, but as you can find out in the webinars held by other grandmasters, several other global plans could derivate from here."
The PGN version of this lecture consists of 9 extensively annotated model games.
Let's take a look at one of them.
Theoretical Trends after 4.f3, 4.Nf3 and 4.Bg5
In this lecture, GM Avrukh covers some of the most topical and important lines in Nimzo-Indian Defence - 4.f3, 4.Nf3, and 4.Bg5. True to his analytical approach, Avrukh suggests relatively unexplored, 100% reliable and creative ideas. Following his analysis, you will be able to play all these lines even at the top level.
Theoretical Trends after 4.Qc2 and 4.e3
In this lecture, the famous Nimzo-Indian expert GM Michael Roiz provides a practical and very reliable repertoire against White's most common choices against Nimzo-Indian Defence - 4.Qc2 and 4.e3. In his analysis, he managed to find new ideas in less explored directions. After studying this lecture, you will get 50% of your Nimzo-Indian work completed!