Nimzo Indian Defense: Deferred Samisch Variation
Nimzo-Indian Defense, Saemisch Variation (Deferred)
Definition
The Nimzo-Indian Defense, Saemisch Variation (Deferred) is a branch of the Nimzo-Indian opening that arises after White postpones the pawn thrust a2-a3 by at least one move. The most common move-order is:
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 O-O 5. a3
after which Black almost always replies 5…Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3.
Because the queen recaptures on c3, White avoids the doubled c-pawns that characterize the “immediate” Saemisch (4. a3). The label “Deferred” (or “Delayed”) simply indicates that White plays a3 after interposing another move—most often 4. Qc2, but occasionally 4. Nf3 followed by 5. a3.
Typical Move Orders
- 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 O-O 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 (ECO codes E33–E34)
- 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 O-O 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 (Sometimes called the “Rubinstein–Saemisch Deferred”)
Strategic Ideas
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White’s Aims
- Maintain a flexible pawn structure by capturing on c3 with the queen, thereby keeping the b- and c-pawns mobile for later play on the queenside.
- Retain the bishop pair after 6. Qxc3, hoping the open diagonals will tell in the middlegame.
- Create a broad center with moves like e2-e4 or c4-c5, sometimes supported by f2-f3 and g2-g4 in aggressive setups.
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Black’s Counterplay
- Pressure the central dark squares (especially e4) with …d5 and …c5.
- Use piece activity—particularly the knights—to compensate for surrendering the bishop pair.
- Target the queen on c3 with tactical themes such as …Ne4 or …dxc4 followed by …c5.
Historical Significance
The original Saemisch idea (4. a3) dates back to German master Friedrich Sämisch (1896-1975), who used it to confront Nimzowitsch’s brainchild in the 1920s. The deferred version gained popularity in the 1950s, thanks to players such as Mikhail Botvinnik and Boris Spassky, who sought a less committal way to fight the Nimzo while avoiding structural weaknesses. It remains a frequent choice at grandmaster level, featuring in world-chess- championship cycles and elite events.
Illustrative Mini-Game
[^]In this (shortened) grandmaster blitz skirmish—Feoktistov vs. Sokolov, Internet 2022—Black showcases the typical central counterpunch …Ne4 followed by …Rfd8 and a sudden mating net on d1. It illustrates the latent dangers facing a queen stuck on c4 or c3.
Famous Classical Example
Botvinnik vs. Smyslov, USSR Championship 1955
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 O-O 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 d5 7. Bg5
h6 8. Bh4 dxc4 9. Qxc4 b6 10. e3 Ba6 11. Qc2 Bxf1 12. Kxf1 Nbd7.
Botvinnik eventually pried open the center with e3-e4 and exploited the
long-term power of his two bishops to score an instructive win.
Typical Plans in a Nutshell
- White
- Castle kingside (often long-castle is too slow).
- Expand in the center with e2-e4 or f2-f3/e4.
- Launch a minority attack on the queenside with b2-b4-b5.
- Use the bishop pair to exert pressure on both wings.
- Black
- Strike at the center via …d5, …c5, and sometimes …e5.
- Harmonize pieces—especially knights on e4 and d6—to blockade dark squares.
- Exchange one pair of bishops (usually the light-squared one) to blunt White’s long-term advantage.
- Seek tactical opportunities exploiting the exposed queen on c3/c4.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- At elite level, the deferred Saemisch often transposes to Queen’s Indian or Catalan-like positions, showcasing its flexibility.
- Garry Kasparov used the line (with colors reversed) in his celebrated rapid game against Veselin Topalov, Wijk aan Zee 1999—playing 5…a6!? instead of the routine capture and steering the game into uncharted territory.
- The queen move to c3 occasionally invites a Greek gift sacrifice on h2 after …Bxh2+ if White is careless with king safety.
- Chess engines have recently revived a rare gambit idea, 5…c5!?, offering a pawn for rapid development and open files against the centralized queen.
In Summary
The Nimzo-Indian Defense, Saemisch Variation (Deferred) is a sophisticated weapon for White players who appreciate the bishop pair but dislike structural defects. Its rich middlegame positions demand precise play from both sides and continue to generate fresh theoretical debates, making the line a vibrant part of modern opening theory.