Nimzo-Indian Defense: Reshevsky–Simagin Variation
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Reshevsky–Simagin Variation
Meaning & Move Order
The Reshevsky–Simagin Variation is an off-beat, yet fully respectable, branch of the
Nimzo-Indian Defense that begins after the “Classical” line
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2.
Instead of the main moves 4…O-O or 4…d5, Black plays:
- 4…Nc6 (Simagin’s idea) – developing the knight to an active square and keeping the king in the centre for the moment.
- 5…d6 (Reshevsky’s refinement) – solidifying the e5-square and creating a structure that often resembles the King’s Indian or Old Indian Defense.
A typical tabiya can arise after 5. Nf3 d6 6. a3 Bxc3+ 7. Qxc3 O-O, reaching the basic Reshevsky–Simagin set-up.
How It Is Used
Black’s plan revolves around flexible pawn breaks:
- …e5 – challenging the centre in pure King’s-Indian style.
- …d5 – when circumstances favour a direct central strike.
- Piece play on the dark squares, using the remaining minor pieces to pressure c4, e4 and occasionally to launch a minority attack with …b5.
White, on the other hand, usually chooses between:
- Quiet development with g3, Bg2 and 0-0, aiming for a long-term positional pull.
- An aggressive set-up with e4 and f4, grabbing space and hoping to prove that …Nc6 is a slight misplacement.
Strategic Features
• Delayed castling: Black keeps the king in the centre to see which pawn break is
appropriate before committing.
• Hybrid structure: The variation merges Nimzo-Indian piece activity
with King’s-Indian pawn structures (pawns on d6 & e6 instead of the more classical
Nimzo d5/e6 duo).
• Dark-square play: Because the c1-bishop is still hemmed in by
its own pawns, dark squares in the White camp (e4, c4, b3) become natural
targets.
• Imbalance: Black concedes the bishop pair early (…Bxc3+) but
gains a sturdy grip on the centre and easier piece co-ordination than in many other
4.Qc2 systems.
Historical Background
• Samuel Reshevsky (U.S. Champion and Candidates finalist)
experimented with the …d6 set-up throughout the 1950s, looking for a solid yet
fighting alternative to the heavily analysed 4…O-O lines.
• Vladimir Simagin, a brilliant Soviet trainer and master of
unorthodox development schemes, proposed 4…Nc6 in Soviet publications during the
same period.
• Modern practice bundles the two key moves – 4…Nc6 & 5…d6 –
under the double name “Reshevsky–Simagin”.
Illustrative Example Game
[[Pgn| d4|Nf6|c4|e6|Nc3|Bb4|Qc2|Nc6|Nf3|d6|a3|Bxc3+|Qxc3|O-O|Bg5|h6|Bh4|Re8| fen|rnbq1rk1/pppp1pp1/2np3p/6B1/2PP3B/PPQ2N2/6PP/R3K2R w KQ - 3 10| arrows|g5d8,d4d5|squares|e4,c4 ]]
Petrosian – Simagin, Moscow Training Match 1956
Simagin demonstrated his concept: Black later broke with …e5, seized the
dark squares and eventually won an instructive endgame.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- Because the knight blocks the c-file, commentators jokingly call 4…Nc6 the “door-stop” move – keeping the c7-pawn from ever advancing, but firmly wedging itself into the position.
- Reshevsky used the variation to defeat grandmasters Gligorić, Pachman and Benko, despite often being several hours behind on the clock due to his notorious time-trouble.
- Vladimir Simagin was more famous as Mikhail Tal’s early coach than as a player, yet his opening ideas (including this one) have outlived many of his contemporaries.
- Engines rate the line as roughly equal (≈0.00) but practical results show Black scoring above 55 % in rapid play – a testament to its surprise value.
When to Choose the Variation
Opt for the Reshevsky–Simagin if you:
- Enjoy Nimzo-Indian themes but want to avoid the maze of 4…O-O theory.
- Like having a choice between …e5 and …d5 structures.
- Aim for a solid yet dynamic game with clear strategic signposts.
Further Resources
• Look up games by Reshevsky (1953-1965) and Simagin (1955-1960) for the
foundational ideas.
• Modern exponents include Levon Aronian and Alexander
Riazantsev.