Nimzo-Indian: Classical Noa Exchange 6.Bg5 h6 7.Bxf6
Nimzo-Indian: Classical Variation (4.Qc2)
Definition
The Classical Variation of the Nimzo-Indian Defence arises after the moves 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2. By placing the queen on c2, White reinforces the knight on c3 and keeps the option of recapturing on c3 with the queen, thus avoiding doubled pawns. The line is also known as the Capablanca Variation because the Cuban world champion helped popularise it in the 1930s.
Usage in Play
- White’s ideas: Maintain a healthy pawn structure, strive for e2–e4, and exploit the two-bishop potential without structural weaknesses.
- Black’s ideas: Create dynamic play before White consolidates, often via …d5, …c5, or …b6, and exploit White’s early queen development for tempi.
- The queen on c2 supports central pushes (e4, d5 breaks) and allows Bd2-g5 pins later in many sub-variations.
Strategic & Historical Significance
Unlike many queen-pawn openings, the Classical Variation steers play into rich, non-forced middlegames with balanced chances. It became fashionable after Capablanca – who disliked structural weaknesses – used it to avoid doubled pawns without conceding the classical centre.
Typical Move Orders
- …O-O 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 – the main “Noa systems” (see next section)
- …c5 5. dxc5 – gambit lines in which Black strives for quick development
- …d5 directly, reaching Queen’s-Gambit-like structures with the dark-squared bishop outside the pawn chain.
Illustrative Game
Spassky – Fischer, World Championship 1972 (Game 6) featured the Classical line and is famed for Fischer’s brilliant light-square strategy.
Interesting Facts
- The early queen move breaks a classical opening principle, yet is completely sound because the piece cannot be harassed effectively.
- Capablanca employed 4.Qc2 for the first time in a serious event at New York 1927 versus Spielmann.
- Engines evaluate the starting position as almost equal, but over the board the line remains a favourite of positional players who relish long-term plans.
Nimzo-Indian: Noa Variation
Definition
The name “Noa Variation” is attached to several closely related systems that begin with the Classical line 4.Qc2 and follow up with Black occupying the centre or fianchettoing the queen’s bishop:
- Noa (d5) Line: 4.Qc2 d5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 (ECO E34)
- Noa (b6) Line: 4.Qc2 O-O 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 b6 (ECO E37)
The variation is named after the little-known Hungarian-Israeli master Abram (Árpád) Noa, who analysed these structures in the early 20th century.
Strategic Themes
- Black quickly stabilises the centre with …d5 or prepares …Bb7 to challenge the e4-square.
- After exchanging on c3, Black targets the doubled c-pawns while White enjoys the two bishops.
- Typical middlegames resemble Queen’s Gambit Declined structures, but with the important difference that Black’s light-squared bishop has already left the pawn chain.
Important Sub-lines
- 6…O-O 7. Nf3 c5 – immediate pressure on White’s centre.
- 6…c5 7. dxc5 d4 – Black sacrifices a pawn for piece activity.
- 6…b6 7. f3 c5 – flexible setups aiming for a harmonious bishop on b7.
Sample Game
Kramnik – Kasparov, Linares 1993, showcased the d5 Noa line with deep strategic manoeuvring.
Trivia
- Though rarely mentioned today, Noa’s original analyses still appear in modern databases under ECO codes E34–E38.
- The line fitted perfectly into Karpov’s repertoire; he scored over 75 % with Black in the 1970s using Noa setups.
Nimzo-Indian: Exchange Variation (4.a3 Bxc3+ 5.bxc3)
Definition
The Exchange Variation (also called the Sämisch Variation) is reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. a3 Bxc3+ 5. bxc3. White intentionally provokes the exchange on c3, accepting doubled c-pawns in return for the two bishops and a strong grip in the centre.
Strategic Battle
- White aims for e2–e4, fianchettoing the light-squared bishop to g2, and launching pawn storms on the kingside.
- Black targets the c4 and c3 pawns, keeps the position closed, and relies on blockading squares like d5.
- The structure resembles a reversed Benoni; the open b-file and semi-open a-file often decide the battle.
Historical Context
Friedrich Sämisch introduced 4.a3 at Bad-Pistyan 1922. The variation became a mainstay of attacking players such as Mikhail Tal, Tony Miles, and Garry Kasparov.
Typical Continuations
- 5…c5 6. e3 Nc6 – “Main Line Blockade”
- 5…O-O 6. e3 d6 – Flexible, with …e5 ideas
- 5…d5 6. e3 c5 – A Queen’s-Gambit-like structure with colours reversed
Famous Encounter
Kasparov – Karpov, World Championship 1985 (Game 11) produced a classic Exchange-Variation struggle where Kasparov’s bishops eventually dominated.
Fun Facts
- The doubled c-pawns can later undouble themselves with c4-c5 breaks, liberating White’s position.
- Black’s dark-squared bishop, the pride of the Nimzo, is gone; if Black fails to blockade effectively, the two bishops often run riot.
Nimzo-Indian: 6.Bg5 h6 7.Bxf6 Line
Definition
This concrete sequence appears most often in the Noa (d5) branch of the Classical Variation:
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 d5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 Bg5 7. Bg5 h6 8. Bxf6 Qxf6
White immediately pins and exchanges the f6-knight, aiming to damage Black’s kingside coordination.
Strategic Objectives
- White removes a key defender of d5/e4, prepares e2–e4, and hopes the queen on f6 becomes a tactical target.
- Black gains the bishop pair (after …Qxf6) and often attacks the doubled c-pawns while keeping the centre solid.
Key Positional Features
- The exchange leaves Black with bishops but a slightly loose kingside dark squares (g7, h6).
- If Black achieves …c5 and …Nc6 without concessions, the bishops become powerful and compensate fully.
- Queenside pawn majority (a7–b7–c7 vs c3–d4) can become an endgame trump for Black.
Model Game
Aronian – Carlsen, Wijk aan Zee 2012, showcased subtle play after this exchange sequence, ending in a dynamic draw.
Anecdotes
- The move 6…Bg5 (instead of the more popular 6…O-O) was first tried by Savielly Tartakower in 1933; his witty remark, “A bishop on g5 is worth a pawn on g2,” still circulates in chess lore.
- Modern engines consider the resulting position almost equal, yet club players often underestimate Black’s bishop pair and drift into worse endgames.