Nimzo-Indian: 4.e3 O-O 5.Bd3 6.Ne2
Nimzo-Indian: 4.e3 O-O 5.Bd3 d5 6.Ne2 (Classical / Kmoch Variation, ECO E54)
Definition
The position that arises after the moves
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Bd3 d5 6. Ne2
is known as the Kmoch Variation of the Classical System of the
Nimzo-Indian Defence. White develops the king’s knight to e2
(instead of the more common f3) with three principal aims:
- To recapture on c3 with the knight if Black exchanges …Bxc3, avoiding the traditional doubled c-pawns.
- To leave the f-pawn free, allowing the aggressive thrust f2–f3 in many middlegame plans.
- To keep the g1–a7 diagonal clear so the bishop on d3 can exert long-range pressure against h7 and f5.
How it is used in play
From this tabiya both sides have a rich assortment of plans:
Typical ideas for White
- Central Expansion: After 7. O-O or 7.a3, White often strives for e3-e4 or f2-f3 followed by e3-e4, grabbing more space and challenging Black’s d5-point.
- a2–a3 & c4xd5: Provoking …Bxc3 and then recapturing with the Ne2 keeps the pawn structure sound while opening the a-file.
- Kingside Pressure: The Bd3, often backed by Qc2 or Qb1, eyes h7. Tactical motifs with Bxh7+ can occur if Black is careless.
Typical ideas for Black
- …c5 Break: The most popular reply is 6…c5, immediately challenging the white center. After 7. cxd5 exd5 Black obtains an Isolated Queen’s Pawn position rich in piece activity.
- …dxc4: Capturing on c4 and following up with …c5 or …b6 seeks a solid Hedgehog-style crouch.
- …Nbd7 & …e5: A slower plan that mirrors French-like pawn structures, striving for …e6-e5 in a single stroke.
Strategic Significance
Compared to the sharper 4.Qc2 or 4.e3 systems with Nf3, the Kmoch Variation leads to a flexible, strategically complex battle where long-term maneuvering trumps early tactics. The absence of doubled pawns often pays dividends in simplified endgames.
Historical Background
The line is named after IM Hans Kmoch, the Austrian-American theoretician who analyzed it extensively in the 1930s. It gained practical fame when former World Champion Max Euwe employed it with success, and it continues to serve as an important weapon for classical players who prefer sound structures over early complications.
Illustrative Game
The following short PGN fragment shows the tabiya and a common central struggle. After 11 moves Black already has the IQP while White enjoys the bishop pair and an intact pawn chain.
Notable Examples
- Euwe – Botvinnik, AVRO 1938
Showcased 7.a3 c5 8.dxc5 Bxc3+ 9.Nxc3, a textbook demonstration of keeping a healthy pawn structure. - Kasparov – Kramnik, Moscow 1994
Kasparov uncorked the dynamic pawn sacrifice 11.f3!? followed by e3-e4, illustrating modern attacking possibilities.
Trivia & Anecdotes
- Because the knight on e2 blocks the queen’s natural route to c2, many players humorously dub the setup “The Knight in the Way.”
- The variation often transposes to the Queen’s Gambit Declined with colors reversed if Black plays …dxc4 and …c5 while White answers with b2-b3.
- Grandmaster Viktor Korchnoi relied on this line deep into his seventies, valuing its prophylactic nature against modern computer preparation.
Key Takeaways
- 6.Ne2 sidesteps doubled pawns and keeps f-pawn mobile.
- Positions are generally strategic; understanding of pawn structures outweighs memorization.
- Black’s most critical response is 6…c5, aiming for an IQP.
- The variation remains a sound and battle-tested choice at every level, from club play to elite tournaments.