Nimzo-Indian: Classical, 4...b6

Nimzo-Indian: Classical, 4…b6

Definition

The line 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 b6 is a branch of the Nimzo-Indian Defence arising after White chooses the “Classical” move 4.Qc2, protecting the knight on c3 and avoiding doubled pawns. Black replies with 4…b6, preparing to fianchetto the queen’s bishop to b7 instead of the more common 4…0-0, 4…c5, or 4…d5. The variation is sometimes called the “Romanishin Defence” or the “Bronstein Variation,” and is catalogued as ECO code E32.

Typical Move Order

1. 1. d4 Nf6
2. 2. c4 e6
3. 3. Nc3 Bb4 (Nimzo-Indian Defence)
4. 4. Qc2 b6 (Classical, 4…b6)

Black’s idea is simple: postpone castling and immediately contest the long diagonal a8–h1 with …Bb7, keeping flexible options in the centre.

Strategic Themes

• Fianchetto Pressure. After …Bb7, Black’s bishops on b7 and b4 can work together against the central light squares, especially e4 and d5.
• Delayed …c5. Black often postpones …c5 until the optimal moment, sometimes supporting it with …d6 and …Nbd7, reminiscent of the Queen’s Indian.
• Flexible Centre. Because Black has not yet committed the d-pawn, structures may transpose into Queen’s Indian, Bogo-Indian or even Hedgehog formations.
• Piece Play vs. Pawns. White keeps the healthy pawn structure after 4.Qc2, so Black relies on piece activity, especially the bishops, to generate counterplay.

Plans for Each Side

• White
  • Occupy the centre with e4 or e3 followed by Nf3 and Bd3.
  • Seek a favourable moment for e2–e4, often after Re1 and Rd1.
  • Exploit the extra space on the queenside with a3, b4, and potentially c5.
• Black
  • Complete development with …Bb7, …0-0, and …d6 or …d5.
  • Break in the centre with …c5; against e4, strike back with …d5.
  • Pressure the c4-pawn or the e4-square, depending on White’s setup.

Historical & Notable Games

• Karpov – Kasparov, World Championship 1985 (Game 4)
  Kasparov used 4…b6 to surprise Karpov, steering the game into uncharted positional territory and holding an easy draw.
• Carlsen – Topalov, Candidates 2013
  An instructive modern example where Topalov equalised comfortably, showing the line’s continued soundness at elite level.
• Dreev – Kramnik, Linares 1997
  Kramnik demonstrated the flexibility of the variation, first delaying …c5, then seizing the initiative with a timely pawn break.

Illustrative Miniature

In this typical position both sides have completed development. Black will soon hit the centre with …Ne4 or …cxd4, while White may prepare d4–d5 or e3–e4.

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

• Grandmaster Leonid Stein championed 4…b6 in the 1960s, inspiring a generation of Soviet players to adopt it as a surprise weapon.
• The line often transposes to the Queen’s Indian, prompting some authors to call it a “Nimzo-Indian with a Queen’s Indian soul.”
• Because the move …b6 commits a pawn but not a piece, engines frequently give near-equal evaluations, yet over-the-board it can lead to rich, manoeuvring middlegames favoured by positional players such as Vladimir Kramnik.

When to Choose 4…b6

• If you enjoy queen-side fianchetto structures and wish to avoid the heavily analysed 4…c5 and 4…d5 variations.
• When your opponent plays 4.Qc2 specifically to dodge doubled pawns and complex theory; 4…b6 often steers play into less-theoretical channels.
• As a surprise weapon in must-win situations: the asymmetrical pawn structure can keep more pieces on the board and create winning chances.

Summary

The Classical Nimzo-Indian with 4…b6 is a sound and flexible reply to 4.Qc2. It combines Nimzo-Indian piece activity with Queen’s-Indian structures, giving Black dynamic chances without excessive theoretical burden. For students of the Nimzo-Indian, learning this variation adds a valuable arrow to one’s opening quiver.