Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian & Berlin Gambit
Nimzowitsch Defense
Definition
The Nimzowitsch Defense is an unorthodox reply to 1.e4 that begins with the move 1…Nc6. Named after the Latvian-born grandmaster and hyper-modern pioneer Aron Nimzowitsch (1886-1935), it immediately develops a knight while postponing the struggle for the center, challenging White to decide how to occupy the squares d4 and e5.
Typical Move-orders
Because the knight on c6 can support …e5, …d5, or even …f5, the opening is highly transpositional:
- Scandinavian set-up: 1.e4 Nc6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 Qxd5 (see next section).
- French-like: 1.e4 Nc6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 e6, reaching a French without the bad bishop.
- Pirc/Modern-like: 1.e4 Nc6 2.Nf3 d6 (or …g6) 3.d4 g6.
- Improved Sicilian: 1.e4 Nc6 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 c5.
- Colorado Gambit (ultra-sharp): 1.e4 Nc6 2.Nf3 f5!?
Strategic Ideas
Black accepts a slight loss of time (the c6-knight can become a tactical target) in exchange for flexibility. Plans usually revolve around:
- Striking at the center later with …d5, …e5, or …f5.
- Transposing into familiar openings while keeping opponents guessing.
- Using the c6-knight to support a quick …e5, gaining French-type central control without locking in the light-squared bishop.
Historical Notes & Notable Games
Nimzowitsch introduced the line at Carlsbad 1911 and used it sporadically. Although it seldom appears in elite events today, creative players such as Baadur Jobava and Richard Rapport have employed it as a surprise weapon. A famous modern outing was Jobava – Carlsen, European Club Cup 2013: Jobava stunned the World Champion with 1.e4 Nc6 2.Nf3 d5 3.Nc3, eventually winning in 24 moves.
Illustrative Mini-Example
Here is a short sample line that shows typical ideas:
Interesting Facts
- The ECO code for the Nimzowitsch Defense is B00, the same broad category used for many “Other 1… moves” against 1.e4.
- Some databases show a paradoxical 50 % + score for Black in club-level games, illustrating its surprise value.
- Nimzowitsch himself called 1…Nc6 “absolutely sound, though shockingly provocative.”
Scandinavian Defense
Definition
The Scandinavian Defense (also known as the Center-Counter) starts with 1.e4 d5. Black immediately challenges the e-pawn, forcing the game into open positions where piece activity can compensate for the early queen development that often follows.
Main Lines
- Main-Line (3…Qa5) 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qa5 Black sidesteps tempo-gaining advances by White’s pieces.
- Modern (3…Qd6) 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6 Considered more solid, keeping the queen on a safer dark square.
- Icelandic Gambit 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Nf6 3.d4 e6!? Black sacrifices a pawn for rapid development.
Strategic Themes
Black relies on activity:
- A quick …c6 and …Bf5/Bg4 to develop smoothly.
- Capitalizing on the open e-file after the queenside queen retreat.
- Endgames reached from early queen trades (favored by Tiviakov) are often comfortable for Black.
Historical Significance
The opening was analyzed as early as 1475 in Lucena’s manuscripts. It gained popularity when the Danish master Jørgen Møller and later Bent Larsen championed it. Modern specialists include Sergei Tiviakov, who has scored over 70 % with the defense in hundreds of games.
Example Continuation
Anecdotes
- At Paris 1867, Wilhelm Steinitz used the Scandinavian to defeat both Winawer and de Rivière, surprising spectators who expected more classical openings.
- Tiviakov once played the Scandinavian 21 times in a row at elite level without a single loss.
Bogoljubov Variation (in the Nimzowitsch Defense)
Definition & Move-order
The Bogoljubov Variation is an ambitious system that arises after:
1.e4 Nc6 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 f5!?
Introduced by the two-time World Championship challenger Efim Bogoljubov, the line mirrors the Dutch Defense against 1.d4, but here it is played versus an already-opened e-center.
Strategic Purpose
- Black seeks kingside initiative at the cost of weakening the e6- and e7-squares.
- If White grabs the pawn (4.exf5), Black often replies …Bxf5 or …Bxf5 followed by …Qd7 and long-castling, storming the g- and h-files.
- Steers the game away from theory, forcing both players to rely on tactics and judgment.
Sample Line
Historical & Modern Use
Bogoljubov used the idea in the late 1920s, most famously versus Euwe 1928. Although rare today, it occasionally surfaces as a surprise weapon—Grandmaster Vadim Malakhatko scored several quick wins with it on the European circuit (2006-2009).
Interesting Tidbits
- The line can transpose to a Staunton Gambit structure (from the Dutch) with colors reversed.
- Chess engines initially disliked 3…f5, but modern neural-network engines assign it respectable practical chances (≈ –0.20) due to complex middlegames.
Berlin Gambit (in the Nimzowitsch Scandinavian)
Definition & Starting Position
The Berlin Gambit is a sharp sub-variation of the Nimzowitsch Defense’s Scandinavian set-up. The critical position arises after:
1.e4 Nc6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 Qxd5 4.Nf3 Bg4 5.Be2 O-O-O!?
Black castles long, virtually offering the d5-queen as a tempo target in exchange for rapid development and attacking chances on the kingside.
Key Ideas
- Pawn sacrifice: After 6.c4 (or 6.Nc3), Black can play …Qh5, …e5, and swing the rooks to the g-file, accepting structural weaknesses for initiative.
- Piece pressure: The pin on the knight (Bg4) and the battery along the d-file aim to keep White’s king in the center.
- Imbalance: White enjoys safer structure; Black enjoys time and open lines.
Illustrative Line
Origins & Lore
The name “Berlin” stems from early analysis by the Berlin Chess School in the late 19th century, not from the well-known Ruy Lopez Berlin Defense. Although the gambit is considered objectively risky, it has trapped many unsuspecting opponents in blitz and rapid play.
Notable Games
- B.Hennig – K.Arnhold, Berlin 1924: the earliest cited game featuring 5…O-O-O, ending in a spectacular queen sacrifice for mate on move 18.
- Spraggett – Hambleton, Titled Tuesday 2020: Canadian GM Hambleton used the gambit to beat a higher-rated opponent in 25 moves.
Fun Fact
The Berlin Gambit is one of the few openings where both sides can castle on opposite wings before move 10—leading to immediate pawn storms and tactical melees that engine evaluations swing wildly on.