Nimzo-Indian Defense: Romanishin Variation

Nimzo-Indian Defense: Romanishin Variation

Definition

The Romanishin Variation is a branch of the Nimzo-Indian Defense that arises after the moves: 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 Nc6. Instead of the usual …0-0, …d5, or …c5, Black develops the queen’s knight to c6, immediately increasing the pressure on the d4-square while keeping the central pawn structure flexible.

Typical Move-Order

Below is the most common starting position of the line, with both players still possessing a wide range of options:

Strategic Themes

• Pressure on d4: After 4…Nc6, Black threatens …Nxd4 in some lines, making White decide quickly how to guard the center.
• Flexibility of the c-pawn: Although the knight on c6 blocks the natural …c5 break, Black can choose between …d5, …e5, or even …f5 setups, leading to a wide variety of pawn structures.
• Early Bxc3: Black often captures on c3 (…Bxc3+), saddling White with the doubled c-pawns characteristic of many Nimzo positions. If Black follows up with …d6 and …e5, the structure can resemble a King’s Indian with the minor pieces already exchanged.
• Transpositional potential: Depending on White’s plan, the game can transpose into Chigorin-style positions (…d5 with a knight on c6), a Queen’s Indian (…b6 …Bb7), or even the King’s Indian Sämisch if Black plays …g6.

Main White Responses

1. 5. Nf3 – The most natural development. After 5…d6/5…d5 White may continue with 6.a3, 6.Bg5, or 6.e4, each steering the game into different pawn structures.
2. 5. a3 – Immediately questions the bishop. Typical continuation: 5…Nxd4 6.axb4 Nxc2+ 7.Qxc2 when White accepts structural damage but gains the bishop pair and a lead in development.
3. 5. d5 – Grabbing space at once. After 5…exd5 6.cxd5 Nxd5, the position acquires Benoni flavors with an extra knight on c6.
4. 5. e3 – A solid line championed by Karpov, planning Nf3, Bd3, and 0-0 while keeping options open.

Historical Background

The variation is named after Ukrainian Grandmaster Oleg Romanishin, who popularized 4…Nc6 in the 1970s and 1980s. Discontent with mainstream theory, Romanishin experimented with dynamic, less-analyzed setups to surprise opponents at the highest levels. His practical success against elite contemporaries—including victories over Jan Timman and solid showings against Anatoly Karpov—cemented the line’s reputation as a fighting alternative to classical Nimzo theory.

Illustrative Game

An instructive encounter is Kasparov – Romanishin, Moscow 1981:

[[Pgn| d4|Nf6|c4|e6|Nc3|Bb4|Qc2|Nc6| Nf3|d6|a3|Bxc3+|Qxc3|O-O|Bg5|Qe7| e3|e5|Be2|e4|Nd2|Re8|O-O|h6| Bh4|Bf5|]]

Black’s central break …e4 on move 11 illustrates a core concept of the variation—using the knight on c6 to support a kingside pawn storm while White’s queenside pieces are preoccupied with doubled c-pawns.

Current Status & Practical Tips

• The Romanishin remains a sound yet less popular choice, making it an attractive surprise weapon for club and tournament players.
• Engine evaluations hover around equality, but concrete tactical knowledge is crucial: many traps revolve around the unprotected knight on c3 and latent threats of …Nxd4.
• Players such as Richard Rapport and Gata Kamsky have revived the line in modern practice, blending it with ideas from the Chigorin Defense to keep opponents out of theory.

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

• Oleg Romanishin reportedly coined the variation during a late-night blitz session, realizing that an early …Nc6 had rarely been tried—despite appearing “on-theme” for the Nimzo-Indian’s pressure on d4.
• Because 4…Nc6 blocks the c-pawn, some theoreticians initially dismissed the line as “anti-positional.” Romanishin’s practical results forced a reevaluation, and databases now hold thousands of high-level games.
• The variation’s ECO code is E21, a convenient reference for study.

Summary

The Nimzo-Indian Romanishin Variation (4…Nc6) is a flexible, combative system for Black. By eschewing the immediate …d5 or …c5, Black maintains central tension, pressures d4, and invites White into less charted waters. Its rich mix of strategic and tactical motifs makes it an enduring weapon for players who relish dynamic imbalance and surprise value.