Nimzo Indian Defense: Bishop Attack (4.Bg5)
Nimzo-Indian Defense, Bishop Attack (4.Bg5)
Definition
The Nimzo-Indian Defense, Bishop Attack is a variation that arises after the moves:
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Bg5
By immediately developing the queen’s bishop to g5, White pins the knight on f6 and postpones the usual decision about the c-pawn structure (whether to allow …Bxc3+ and doubled pawns). The line is also called the Leningrad Variation, reflecting its popularity among Soviet players from that city during the mid-20th century.
Typical Move Orders
Black has several principled replies:
- 4…c5 5.d5 – The main line leading to sharp, Benoni-style pawn structures.
- 4…h6 5.Bh4 c5 – The old Capablanca System, asking the bishop to decide its future.
- 4…0-0 5.e3 c5 6.Nf3 – A calmer route, often transposing to IQP positions.
- 4…d5 5.e3 c5 – An attempt to reach Catalan-like structures.
The early pin can be irritating because …h6 …g5 may weaken Black’s kingside, while ignoring the pin allows ideas such as e2-e4 in one move.
Strategic Themes
- Central Tension: White often pushes d4-d5 to seize space, creating a closed center where the g5-bishop eyes the sensitive d8-h4 diagonal.
- Bishop Pair vs. Structure: Black must decide whether to exchange on c3 (yielding the bishop pair) or keep tension and play …h6 or …c5.
- e4 Break: Thanks to the pin, White can sometimes play e2-e4 in one move, skipping the preparatory Nf3.
- Kingside Expansion: If Black tries …h6 …g5, the game can resemble a reversed French Advance with chances for both sides.
Historical Context
The variation rose to prominence in the 1930s and 1940s. Mikhail Botvinnik, Viktor Korchnoi, and later Garry Kasparov employed it with White, often steering the game into rich strategic battles. Its name “Bishop Attack” highlights the aggressive intentions of pinning the f6-knight, while “Leningrad” honors the city where it was deeply analyzed.
Illustrative Game
A famous reference is Karpov – Kasparov, World Championship (Game 11), Moscow 1985, where Kasparov neutralized the pin with timely …h6 and …c5, eventually winning a complex middlegame. Below is a shortened skeleton of that encounter:
[[Pgn|d4|Nf6|c4|e6|Nc3|Bb4|Bg5|c5|d5|h6|Bh4|d6|e3|Bxc3+|bxc3|exd5|cxd5|O-O|Bd3| arrows|g5f6,d4d5,c3d5|squares|g5,d5,f6]]Practical Tips
- After 4.Bg5, be ready for early center clashes; memorize at least one response with …c5 or …h6.
- If you play White, study the pawn-sacrifice lines (e.g., 4…c5 5.d5 b5!?), as they can surprise an unprepared opponent.
- Remember that exchanging on c3 is double-edged: you give up the bishop pair but ruin White’s queenside structure. Choose it only when you have a concrete plan.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- Grandmaster Alexander Beliavsky famously quipped that
4.Bg5 is the move that forces Black to demonstrate they really understand the Nimzo-Indian.
- In blitz and rapid, 4.Bg5 scores exceptionally well because many players forget their preparation and drift into passive setups.
- An early …d5 by Black can transpose into a hybrid Queen’s-Gambit-Declined where the bishop on g5 suddenly looks very well placed.
Why Study This Line?
For White players, the Bishop Attack offers a dynamic alternative to the Rubinstein (4.e3) and the Classical (4.Qc2) lines, avoiding the dreaded doubled c-pawns while maintaining pressure. For Black defenders, mastering the antidotes teaches key Nimzo-Indian concepts such as timely breaks with …c5 and the importance of pawn structure versus piece activity.