Nimzo-Indian: Leningrad Variation
Nimzo-Indian: Leningrad Variation
Definition
The Leningrad Variation is a major branch of the Nimzo-Indian Defence that arises after the moves:
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Bg5
White immediately pins the knight on f6 and threatens to increase central control with e2-e4. The line earned its name from Soviet players based in Leningrad (today’s Saint-Petersburg) who popularised it in the mid-20th century.
Typical Move-Orders
- Main Line: 4. Bg5 h6 5. Bh4 c5 6. d5 b5 – Black strikes in the centre and on the queenside.
- Restraint Line: 4. Bg5 c5 5. d5 d6 – Black keeps the tension without committing to …h6.
- Solid Line: 4. Bg5 Bxc3+ 5. bxc3 h6 6. Bh4 d6 – Black gives up the bishop pair but damages White’s pawn structure.
Strategic Ideas
- For White
- Maintain the pin on the f6-knight to hinder …d5.
- Play e2-e4 to build a broad pawn centre.
- Exploit the bishop pair if Black exchanges on c3.
- Be ready to sacrifice a pawn after …b5 to accelerate development.
- For Black
- Challenge the centre with …c5 and …d5 or undermine it with …b5.
- Decide whether to break the pin with …h6 or exchange on c3.
- Target the c4- and d5-pawns after the typical …b5 advance.
- Use piece activity to compensate if the bishop pair is surrendered.
Historical Significance
The variation flourished in the 1940s-1960s thanks to players such as Grigory Levenfish, Alexander Tolush, and Paul Keres, all of whom had ties to Leningrad. World Champions Tigran Petrosian and Boris Spassky later adopted it, lending the line additional prestige.
In modern times it remains a favourite surprise weapon because it steers the game into less-analysed channels compared with the heavily theorised Classical (4. Qc2) and Rubinstein (4. e3) systems.
Illustrative Game
Petrosian vs. Spassky, World Championship (6) 1966
Spassky’s enterprising pawn sacrifice after 11…d5 broke open the position and showcased the dynamic potential of Black’s queenside expansion.
Typical Tactical Motifs
- Exchange Sacrifice on c3: …Bxc3+ followed by …d5 can free Black’s game and target White’s isolated a- and c-pawns.
- …b5 Break: Often prepared by …a6, this thrust undermines White’s c4-pawn and opens lines for the light-squared bishop.
- Pin Tactics: Knight jumps to e4 or g4 can exploit the pin on f6 if White is careless.
Practical Tips
- After 4…h6 5. Bh4 c5, playing 6. d5 avoids the immediate …cxd4 ideas but commits the pawn structure; be ready for …b5.
- If Black exchanges on c3, recapture with the b-pawn (bxc3) to keep the centre pawns flexible for e2-e4.
- Time your e2-e4 advance carefully; premature central expansion can leave the d4-pawn weak.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- The name “Leningrad Variation” also appears in the Dutch Defence (1…f5 with …g6), causing occasional confusion among newcomers.
- Anatoly Karpov briefly revived 4. Bg5 in the 1980s, scoring several smooth positional victories, even though he hailed from Zlatoust, not Leningrad.
- Computer engines originally disliked Black’s pawn sacrifice lines, but modern neural-network engines often approve the dynamic compensation.
Representative Evaluation Summary
Current theory regards the position after 4. Bg5 as roughly equal. White enjoys the bishop pair and prospects for central space; Black obtains counterplay through piece activity and queenside expansion. The variation offers rich middlegame play with chances for both sides.