Nimzowitsch Defense Declined: Colorado Countergambit
Nimzowitsch Defense Declined
Definition
The Nimzowitsch Defense begins with 1. e4 Nc6. The line is said to be “declined” when White refuses the principal follow-up 2. d4 and instead chooses a more restrained second move such as 2. Nf3, 2. Nc3, 2. Bb5, 2. g3, or 2. d3. By not occupying the centre with d-pawn immediately, White sidesteps many of Black’s sharp counter-ideas while keeping the position flexible and, in many cases, steering the game into other familiar openings.
Typical Move Orders
- 1. e4 Nc6 2. Nf3 (most common) …
• 2…e5 transposes to a Two Knights / Four Knights structure.
• 2…d6 3. d4 Nf6 can lead to a Pirc-like set-up. - 1. e4 Nc6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 again reaches a Four Knights Game but with Black’s knight already on c6.
- 1. e4 Nc6 2. Bb5 (The Ross Gambit-decline) 2…d5 3. Nc3 d4 4. Bxc6+ bxc6 keeps both sides in uncharted waters.
Strategic Ideas
For White:
- Maintain the central pawn duo e4–d4 in reserve, keeping options to strike later with d2-d4 or c2-c3.
- Exploit the fact that Black’s Nc6 can sometimes block the c-pawn and hinder common …c7-c5 counterplay.
- Use early piece pressure (Bb5, Nf3, Nc3) to provoke structural weaknesses in Black’s position.
For Black:
- Transposition: choose between e5-systems (open games), d6-set-ups (Pirc/Old Indian flavour), or even f5-ideas (Colorado Countergambit), depending on style.
- Rapid kingside development with …g6 and …Bg7 can mirror the Modern Defence, where the knight on c6 actively eyes d4 and b4.
- Seek central tension with …d5 at an opportune moment, challenging White’s slower set-up.
Historical & Theoretical Notes
The defence is named after Aron Nimzowitsch, who advocated 1…Nc6 as an example of controlling the centre with pieces rather than pawns. Early 20th-century praxis saw few top-level adopters, but the line has experienced periodic revivals whenever players wish to sidestep mainstream 1…e5 theory.
Because the “declined” variations often transpose to other openings, modern databases sprinkle them across ECO codes A00, B00 and C46. Contemporary grandmasters such as Baadur Jobava and Richard Rapport occasionally use 1…Nc6 as a surprise weapon, and many club players enjoy its psychological value—opponents rarely expect the move.
Illustrative Mini-Game
After 12 moves White has steered into a Spanish-like structure with the safer Nf3 approach, while Black retains decent chances but no direct equality.
Interesting Facts
- In the 2015 World Rapid Championship, Magnus Carlsen answered 1…Nc6 with 2. Nf3 against Wesley So, winning a technical end-game and showing that the declined system can keep pressure even at elite level.
- The old joke “Two Knights out, why not castle?” applies: by move four both sides often have knights developed and are one step from castling, yet the centre remains fluid—perfect for creative play.
Colorado Countergambit Accepted
Definition
The Colorado Countergambit is an audacious pawn sacrifice arising from the Nimzowitsch Defense: 1. e4 Nc6 2. Nf3 f5!? When White accepts the challenge with 3. exf5, the variation is called the Colorado Countergambit Accepted. Black gives up the f-pawn to accelerate development and unleash quick kingside pressure.
Main Line
1. e4 Nc6 2. Nf3 f5!? 3. exf5 d5 4. d4 Bxf5
Black immediately strikes with …d5, opening diagonals for the dark-squared bishop and queen. If White clings to the extra pawn with 5. Bd3 or 5. c3, Black often responds with …Qd7, …O-O-O, and a pawn storm on the kingside.
Strategic Themes
- Rapid Activity: After sacrificing f-pawn, Black’s minor pieces flood the board. The bishop on c8 often lands on g4 or f5, the queen comes to d7/h4, and the rook may join via e8 or g8.
- King Safety vs. Initiative: White’s safest plan is early d2-d4 and Be2–g2 combined with short castling, trying to defuse the attack and cash in the extra pawn in the end-game.
- Central Files: Black relies on open e- and f-files; if White manages to keep them closed (e.g., with c3, Be2, O-O), the extra pawn counts.
Historical Background
The name honours a group of Denver, Colorado, masters from the 1970s who explored 2…f5 in regional tournaments. Although never fully endorsed by top grandmasters, the gambit earned cult status in North-American weekend events. Its highest-profile outing in classical chess was Korobov – Shirov, Poikovsky 2013, where Shirov uncorked the gambit and nearly equalised before drifting in the end-game.
Notable Games & References
- D. Kaufman – T. Conrads, U.S. Open 1998
A slugfest ending in perpetual check. - Korobov – Shirov, Poikovsky 2013
Shirov’s 2…f5 surprised everyone; after complications Korobov converted the extra pawn in a queen ending.
Sample Tactical Motif
After 1. e4 Nc6 2. Nf3 f5 3. exf5 d5 4. d4 Bxf5 5. Bd3 Qd7 6. O-O O-O-O, a common blunder is 7. Re1? allowing 7…Bg4! 8. c3 e5! 9. dxe5 Bxf3 and Black regains material with a raging attack.
Interesting Facts
- Despite its wild appearance, modern engines give Black roughly –0.30 to –0.50 after optimal play—respectable for a pawn gambit.
- Streamers often choose the Colorado in blitz bullet formats, where practical chances outrank objective soundness; it scores better than 55 % for Black in online games under 3 minutes.
- Because the move 2…f5 violates classical principles, some coaches recommend it to teach students the value of rapid development and initiative over material—students quickly feel the consequences of neglecting either side of that balance.