Nimzowitsch Defense Declined Colorado Countergambit
Nimzowitsch Defense
Definition
The Nimzowitsch Defense is an irregular response to the King’s Pawn opening, beginning with the moves 1. e4 Nc6. Instead of occupying the center immediately with …e5 or attacking it with …c5 or …d5, Black develops a knight and keeps both central pawns flexible. The opening is catalogued in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings as B00.
Key Ideas & Strategic Themes
- Flexibility. With the e- and d-pawns still on their original squares Black can transpose into the French (…e6 and …d5), the Pirc/Modern (…d6 and …g6), the Scandinavian (…d5), or even the Vienna-type positions after …e5.
- Provocation. By not staking an immediate claim in the center, Black tempts White to over-extend with 2.d4 or 2.Nf3 followed by 3.d4, hoping to undermine the pawn mass later.
- Piece Pressure. The c6-knight supports …d4 breaks and can jump to b4 or e5 in various lines, often pressuring c2/e4/f3 squares.
Typical Move Orders
- 1.e4 Nc6 2.d4 d5 – the classical main line, sometimes called the “Williams Variation,” aiming for Scandinavian-like play.
- 1.e4 Nc6 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 Nf6 – smoothly transposes to a Pirc/Philidor structure.
- 1.e4 Nc6 2.Nf3 e5 – a delayed Spanish/Vienna hybrid that can reach familiar open-game positions with colors reversed.
- 1.e4 Nc6 2.Nf3 f5?! – the sharp Colorado Countergambit (see separate section).
Historical Notes
Aron nimzowitsch, one of the fathers of hypermodernism, used this defense sporadically in the 1910s–1920s to illustrate his ideas of controlling the center with pieces rather than pawns. While never fully embraced by elite players, it remains a surprise weapon—Magnus Carlsen even tried 1…Nc6 in bullet chess against Hikaru Nakamura (Chess.com Speed-Chess, 2020).
Example Miniature
The game above (Kosashvili–Iuldachev, Istanbul 1994) shows how Black can seize the initiative if White overplays the center.
Interesting Facts
- In internet blitz the Nimzowitsch Defense scores better than its theoretical reputation, largely thanks to surprise value.
- Because ECO code B00 is a catch-all for “irregular” 1…Nc6 lines, databases sometimes hide thematic ideas unless you search by move order.
- GM Christian Bauer dedicated an entire chapter to 1…Nc6 in his book “Play 1…b6” to show its affinity with …b6 setups.
Colorado Countergambit
Definition
The Colorado Countergambit—often shortened to the Colorado Gambit—is a daring pawn sacrifice arising from the Nimzowitsch Defense:
1.e4 Nc6 2.Nf3 f5!?
Black immediately attacks White’s e-pawn, offering the f-pawn in exchange for rapid development and kingside activity. The name comes from a group of Colorado (USA) masters who analyzed and played the line extensively in the 1970s–80s, most notably Brian Wall.
Main Branches
- Accepted: 3.exf5
- 3…d5 4.d4 Bxf5 – Black opens lines for both bishops and claims compensation through piece play.
- 3…Nf6 4.d4 d5 – a quieter route, trying to recapture on f5 later.
- Declined: White maintains the center rather than grabbing the pawn.
- 3.d3 – a solid set-up avoiding theory.
- 3.Nc3 – transposes to Vienna-style positions while keeping e4 firmly defended.
Strategic Considerations
- Imbalance. After 3.exf5 d5 Black often castles queenside and hurls kingside pawns, leading to wild opposite-side attacks.
- Piece Activity vs. Material. Black is a pawn down but enjoys open diagonals for the c8-bishop and fast rook lifts via …Rf8–f5 or …0-0-0 followed by …Rg8.
- King Safety. Both sides must tread carefully: White’s king can become drafty once the f-file opens, while Black’s king is exposed if compensation is insufficient.
Famous (or Infamous) Encounters
- Taylor – Wall, U.S. Open 1997
Brian Wall (Black) demonstrates the typical double-edged piece activity that compensates for the pawn. - Spraggett – Voznica, Internet Blitz 2021 GM Spraggett sidestepped theory with 3.Nc3, calmly consolidated the center, and eventually converted the extra pawn—illustrating how the gambit can be defused when White “declines.”
Interesting Tidbits
- Modern engines rate the gambit as objectively dubious (≈ +1 for White), yet over-the-board results hover near 50 % in games under 10 minutes, underscoring its practical sting.
- Brian Wall occasionally opened with the white pieces by playing 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 f5!?—a “Colorado Gambit reversed.”
- The move 2…f5 first appeared in print in the 1957 magazine Chess Review, but the name “Colorado” was coined two decades later when local players prepared it for Denver tournaments.
How to Decline Safely
White players who prefer to avoid tactical complications can adopt a restrained scheme:
- 1.e4 Nc6 2.Nf3 f5 3.Nc3! maintains the central pawn chain.
- If …fxe4, White switches to 4.Nxe4 and enjoys superior development with an extra central pawn.
- Plans include Be2, d4, 0-0, Re1 and a slow squeeze rather than immediate pawn-grabbing.