Nimzo-Indian Defense: Reshevsky Variation

Nimzo-Indian Defense: Reshevsky Variation

Definition

The Reshevsky Variation is a branch of the Nimzo-Indian Defense that arises after the moves 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Nf3. By immediately developing the king’s knight to f3, White postpones the question of the c-pawn structure, fights for the central e5-square, and prepares rapid kingside castling. The line is named after the American grandmaster Samuel Reshevsky (1911-1992), who used it frequently and with success against the world’s elite during the 1940s and 1950s.

Main Move-Order

The most common sequence is:

• 1. d4 Nf6
• 2. c4 e6
• 3. Nc3 Bb4 (the Nimzo-Indian tabiya)
• 4. Nf3 – the Reshevsky Variation

Black’s replies split the variation into several sizable sub-lines:

1. 4…0-0 – the most flexible. Play can continue 5.Bg5 (Kasparov System), 5.e3, or 5.g3.
2. 4…d5 – immediately challenging the center. After 5.Bg5, the famous Hubner line with 5…h6 can arise.
3. 4…c5 – aiming for Benoni-like pressure after …d7–d5 or …b7–b5.
4. 4…b6 – transposing to a Queen’s-Indian setup while keeping the option of …Bb7 and …Ne4.

Strategic Themes for White

• Control of e5. By placing a knight on f3 early, White prevents Black from breaking with …e5 and prepares the advance e2-e4 under good circumstances.
• Flexible pawn structure. Unlike 4.e3 or 4.Qc2, the Reshevsky line usually keeps White’s c-pawn undoubled and maintains the tension in the center.
• Piece activity over structure. White often accepts an isolated queen’s pawn (IQP) or hanging pawns (c4-d4) in exchange for free development and better piece play.
• Rapid castling and kingside initiative. Especially after 5.Bg5 or 5.g3, White can castle short quickly and aim for pressure along the h-file or long diagonal.

Strategic Themes for Black

• Timely …d7-d5 break. Striking in the center can leave White with an IQP to target in the endgame.
• Exploiting the pinned knight. After 5.Bg5, the move …h6 followed by …g5 (the Hübner plan) gains space and questions the bishop’s placement.
• Queenside minority attack. In structures with c4-d4 vs. …c5-d6, Black may push …b7-b5-b4 to undermine White’s center.
• Transpositional options. With …b6 or …Bb7 Black can steer the game into a Queen’s-Indian, while …c5 and …d5 may transpose to certain QGD or Benoni structures.

Historical Background

Samuel Reshevsky was already a world-class player when the Nimzo-Indian rose to prominence. Seeking a system that combined solidity with room for creative maneuvering, he championed 4.Nf3 and scored many celebrated victories, including wins over Botvinnik and Smyslov. Later, the variation was adopted by stars such as Garry Kasparov, Viswanathan Anand, and Levon Aronian, ensuring its continued relevance at the highest levels.

Illustrative Mini-Line

A typical continuation showing the main ideas is:

Here White achieves harmonious development and keeps the pawn structure fluid, while Black strikes quickly at the center and starts the thematic …h6–g5 counter.

Famous Games

• Reshevsky – Botvinnik, The Hague/Moscow Candidates 1948
  Reshevsky unveiled early 4.Nf3, out-maneuvered the future World Champion, and demonstrated the latent attacking prospects of the variation.
• Kasparov – Karpov, World Championship (Game 1) 1985
  Kasparov’s aggressive 5.Bg5 line led to a complex middlegame, setting the tone for an epic match.
• Anand – Aronian, Wijk aan Zee 2013
  Modern top-level treatment: Anand used the quiet 5.e3 plan, slowly built a central majority, and converted in a queenless ending.

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

• Reshevsky was famous for time-trouble escapes; more than once he chose 4.Nf3 because it avoided the massive theory of 4.Qc2 and let him rely on general principles.
• Garry Kasparov revitalized the 5.Bg5 sub-line in the mid-1980s. His notebooks reportedly contained over 180 pages devoted solely to the Reshevsky Variation.
• In the computer-chess era, engines still evaluate the position after 4.Nf3 as roughly equal (≃0.20), yet practical results at all rating levels show that White scores slightly above 50 % thanks to richer middlegame play.
• The move order 3…Bb4 4.Nf3 was once considered a “waiting variation,” but modern grandmasters often choose it to side-step the razor-sharp lines of the Saemisch and Classical Variations.

When to Choose the Reshevsky Variation

Opt for 4.Nf3 if you:

• Prefer a sound positional base with room for creative plans.
• Want to dodge the latest computer-prepared lines in 4.Qc2 or 4.e3.
• Are comfortable playing IQP or hanging-pawn structures in the middlegame.

Conclusion

The Reshevsky Variation offers a balanced blend of solidity and dynamic potential. Whether you are an attacking player (5.Bg5) or a more positional strategist (5.e3/5.g3), the line allows you to steer the game into terrains that fit your personal style while keeping Black under constant strategic pressure.