Nimzo-Indian: Reshevsky Variation
Nimzo-Indian: Reshevsky Variation
Definition
The Reshevsky Variation is a branch of the Nimzo-Indian Defence that arises after the moves
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 0-0 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 d5.
It is catalogued in the ECO code group E37–E39. The key positional idea is that
White voluntarily gives up time (5.a3) to compel Black to exchange on c3, thereby
gaining the bishop pair and an extra central pawn while Black strives for rapid piece
activity and control of the dark squares.
Typical Move Order
Although move orders vary, the characteristic tabiya is reached in one of two main ways:
- 4. Qc2 0-0 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 d5 (classic order, most common)
- 4. Qc2 d5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 0-0 (slightly different timing of …d5 and castling)
Strategic Themes
- Bishop Pair vs. Development: White’s two bishops point toward Black’s queenside, but the queen on c3 temporarily interferes with the development of the c1-bishop and the coordination of rooks.
- Central Tension: Black’s moves …d5, …c5, and sometimes …e5 challenge White’s pawn center. Structures with an Isolated Queen’s Pawn (IQP) on d4 or hanging pawns on c4/d4 are common.
- Dark-Square Grip: After …Bxc3+, …d5, and …b6, Black often places the remaining bishop on a6 or b7, exercising long-term pressure on d4 and e3.
- Queenside Majority: If pieces are exchanged, White’s 4-vs-3 queenside majority can become an important end-game asset.
Historical Significance
The line is named after Samuel Reshevsky (1911-1992), the American prodigy and World Championship contender who used it with great success in the 1930s and 40s. His victory over former World Champion Max Euwe at AVRO 1938 popularised the system and showcased its dynamic possibilities. Subsequent elite practitioners include Garry Kasparov, Viswanathan Anand, and more recently Fabiano Caruana and Ding Liren.
Illustrative Game
Reshevsky’s own handling against Euwe remains a model for White:
[[Pgn| d4|Nf6|c4|e6|Nc3|Bb4|Qc2|O-O|a3|Bxc3+| Qxc3|d5|Nf3|Nbd7|Bg5|c5|cxd5|cxd4|Qxd4|exd5| e3|h6|Bh4|Re8|Be2|Re4|Qd2|g5|Bg3|d4| Nxd4|Nc5|O-O|Rxd4|Qgxd4|Qxd4|exd4|Nb3|f5|f4| Be6|fxg5|hxg5|Be5|Rc8|Rf3|Rc2|Bd3|Rxb2|Bxf5| Bxf5|Rxf5|Ne4|Raf1|Ra2|Rf8+|Kxf8|Bxe4|Bxe4|Rf2| Ra1+|Rf1|Rxa3|Bd6+|Ke8|Bxa3|Rxa3|Bxa3|Bd3|Re1| b5|Bc5+|Kf7|Re7+|Kf6|Rxa7|b4|Bxb4|Be4|Ra6+|Kf5| Rd6|Rb1+|Kf2|Rxb4|Bxb4|g4|Kg3|Bb7|d5|Bxd5|Rxd5+| Ke6|Rd6+|Kf5|Rxd4|gxh3|Kxh3|a5| |fen|| ]]In the original scores, Euwe ultimately lost after a long tactical mêlée, demonstrating how White’s bishops and queenside pawns can outlast Black’s activity in the end-game.
Modern Example
Caruana–Ding Liren, Candidates 2020, followed the main line
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 0-0 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 d5
and ended in a sharp draw after 42 moves, highlighting the line’s contemporary
theoretical relevance.
Practical Tips
- For White: Develop quickly despite the queen on c3; prepare e2-e3 and Bd3. Watch out for …Ne4 forks hitting c3 and g5.
- For Black: Strike in the center with …c5 or …e5 before White’s bishops become fully active. Counterplay on the c- and e- files is thematic.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- In the 1953 Zurich Candidates, David Bronstein praised the line for giving “fiery play to quiet players.”
- The variation occasionally transposes into the Queen’s Gambit Declined: Vienna when Black delays …Bb4 and plays …d5 early, underlining its flexible nature.
- Because the name “Reshevsky” contains the word “chess” (chiess) phonetically when pronounced in English, Soviet commentators joked the line was his “private property.”
Summary
The Nimzo-Indian: Reshevsky Variation is a rich, strategically complex system where White’s long-term bishops and central pawns are balanced by Black’s active piece play and dark-square control. Its enduring popularity from Reshevsky’s era to today’s super-GM tournaments is proof of its dynamic equilibrium and instructive value for players of all levels.