Nimzowitsch Defence: 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 Bg4
Nimzowitsch Defence: 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 Bg4
Definition
The line 1. e4 Nc6 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Bg4 is a branch of the Nimzowitsch Defence, an off-beat response to the King’s Pawn opening in which Black immediately places a knight on c6. By pinning the f3-knight with 3…Bg4, Black exerts indirect pressure on the d4-pawn and keeps the central pawn structure fluid, blending ideas from the Pirc and Philidor Defences with Nimzowitsch’s own hyper-modern spirit.
Typical Move Order
1. e4 Nc6 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Bg4 (diagram after 3…Bg4)
- The bishop pin prevents the immediate 4. d5 because …Ne5 hits f3.
- White usually chooses between 4. Be2, 4. Nc3, or 4. c3 to unpin or reinforce the centre before expanding.
Strategic Themes
- For Black
- Pin on f3 supports …e5 or …d5 breaks.
- Flexible kingside development: …Nf6, …g6 and …Bg7 can transpose into a Pirc-like set-up.
- The bishop may drop back to h5 or g6, keeping an eye on e4 and provoking g2-g4.
- For White
- Break the pin (Be2, h3, or Nbd2) and claim space with c2-c4 or d4-d5.
- Central pawn duo e4/d4 can cramp Black if maintained.
- A timely d4-d5 can gain space and chase the c6-knight, but only when the f3-knight is unpinned.
Historical Background
Aron Nimzowitsch introduced 1…Nc6 in the 1910s to challenge classical dogma with hyper-modern ideas. The specific bishop pin with 3…Bg4 was explored later by grandmasters such as Bent Larsen, Igor Glek, and more recently by the creative Richard Rapport and GM Simon Williams—who nicknamed it “El Columpio” (“the Swing”) because the bishop often swings from c8–g4–h5–g6.
Illustrative Mini-Game
Short forcing line demonstrating key ideas:
After 12 moves Black has completed development, the g4-bishop has retreated safely, and the position resembles a Pirc where the knight on c6 replaces the usual …c6 pawn.
Famous Practical Examples
- Glek – De Firmian, Biel 1990: White’s slow 4.Be2 allowed Black a swift …e5 break, equalising comfortably.
- Rapport – Piorun, Bundesliga 2017: Rapport unleashed a kingside pawn storm after …Bg4-h5-g6, showing the line’s dynamic potential.
Typical Plans & Tactics
- Unpin and seize space: 4.Be2 followed by 5.c4 or 5.d5.
- Central counter: …e5 (after …Nf6) striking at d4 and freeing Black’s game.
- Piece sacrifice motif: …Nxd4!? when White forgets the pin, winning a pawn after …Bxf3 and …Qxd4.
Interesting Facts
- The move 3…Bg4 scores better than the more popular 3…Nf6 in many databases, partly because it is less studied.
- In online blitz GM Simon Williams has essayed this line hundreds of times on his stream, popularising the nickname “Swing”.
- Because the bishop can tuck back to d7, the opening sometimes transposes into a Hanenberg Gambit (1.e4 Nc6 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 Bg4 4.d5 Ne5!?)—an obscure gambit dating back to 1919.
Why Learn This Line?
If you play e4 as White you should know how to neutralise the pin and maintain your central advantage. As Black, the variation offers a surprise weapon that avoids heavy theory, keeps the position dynamic, and can transpose into familiar Pirc or Philidor structures while retaining independent bite.