Nimzo-Indian: Leningrad 4...c5 5.d5 exd5
Nimzo-Indian: Leningrad, 4…c5 5.d5 exd5
Definition
The line arises from the Nimzo-Indian Defence after the moves: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Bg5 c5 5.d5 exd5. Here White chooses the Leningrad Variation with 4.Bg5, pinning the knight on f6. Black replies immediately in the centre with 4…c5, and after 5.d5 captures with 5…exd5. The position usually continues 6.cxd5 d6 (or 6…h6 7.Bh4 d6) and resembles a hybrid of the Nimzo-Indian, Benoni, and Bogo-Indian structures.
Ideas & Strategic Themes
- Central Tension Converted: By playing …exd5, Black removes the pawn tension and fixes a pawn on d5, accepting an isolated pawn on d5 or a Benoni-style structure with …d6.
- Bishops vs. Structure: White usually enjoys the pair of bishops (Bg5 and g2-bishop if fianchetto occurs) plus extra space, while Black banks on piece activity against White’s advanced d-pawn.
- Minority Play on the Queenside: After cxd5 Black’s c-pawn disappears, giving White the half-open c-file. White often mobilises with Rc1, Qb3, and b4–b5 to target Black’s queenside.
- King-side Counterplay for Black: Black strives for breaks like …h6, …g5 or …Re8 and …Ne4, using the semi-open e-file to exploit the fact that White’s dark-squared bishop has moved away from e2.
- Transpositional Potential: The structure can transpose to a Classical Benoni (…g6, …Bg7) or to Bogo-Indian-type positions (…d6, …Nbd7, …Re8).
Historical Significance
The move 4.Bg5 was popularised in the late 1940s by Soviet masters; because it featured prominently in tournaments held in Leningrad (today’s Saint Petersburg), it received the geographical nickname. The sub-variation with 4…c5 5.d5 exd5 found favour with several World Championship contenders:
- Boris Spassky and Mikhail Tal each used it during the 1960s USSR Championships, sparking broad theoretical debate.
- Viktor Korchnoi and Anatoly Karpov explored it heavily in their Candidates matches of the 1970s, with Karpov choosing flexible setups involving …d6 followed by …Nbd7–f8–g6.
Typical Continuations
- 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Bg5 c5 5.d5 exd5 6.cxd5 d6 7.e3 Nbd7 8.Nf3 Qa5 9.Nd2 Bxc3 10.bxc3 Qxc3+ leads to an imbalanced queen trade line where White’s bishop pair and pawn majority compete with Black’s rapid development.
- 6…h6 7.Bh4 d6 8.e3 O-O 9.Bd3 Nbd7 10.Nf3 Re8 gives Black an e-file battery aiming for …Ne5 or …g5.
Illustrative Mini-Game
Below is a short instructive fragment highlighting the key motifs.
[[Pgn| d4|Nf6|c4|e6|Nc3|Bb4|Bg5|c5|d5|exd5|cxd5|d6|e3|h6|Bh4|O-O|Nf3|Re8|Bd3|Nbd7|Rf1| fen|r1bq1rk1/pp1n1pp1/3p3p/2pP4/2B4B/4PN2/PP3PP1/RN1Q1RK1 w - - 0 11| arrows|c4c5,d5d6,e3e4|squares|d5,e4 ]]Notable Games
- Spassky – Tal, USSR Championship 1964 Spassky employed 4.Bg5 and achieved a strong attack, but Tal’s dynamic pawn sacrifice with …c4 turned the tables.
- Korchnoi – Karpov, Candidates Final 1974, Game 4 Karpov followed the 5…exd5 plan; his maneuver …Nbd7–f8–g6 neutralised Korchnoi’s bishops and earned a half-point that proved vital in the match outcome.
Interesting Facts
- The move 4…c5 was once considered slightly risky because it gives White the option of 5.dxc5, but modern engines show that the immediate 5.d5 is the most critical test, keeping maximum space.
- Some theorists call the 5…exd5 line a “Benoni-Indian” because the resulting pawn chain d5–c4 echoes classical Benoni patterns.
- Magnus Carlsen revisited the variation in rapid chess (Chess24 Banter Blitz 2020), proving its continued practical value even at elite level.
When to Choose This Line
Opt for 4…c5 5.d5 exd5 as Black if you:
- Enjoy dynamic middlegames with asymmetrical pawn structures.
- Prefer rapid piece development over long-term pawn integrity.
- Are comfortable defending slightly cramped but resilient positions.
Select it as White if you:
- Like the bishop pair and spatial advantage.
- Are ready to handle Black’s flank counterplay and tactical shots on the e-file.
- Feel at home in Benoni-style structures but with the pleasant extra of the f1-bishop remaining inside the pawn chain.