Nimzowitsch Defense Overview
Nimzowitsch Defense
Definition
The Nimzowitsch Defense is the reply 1…Nc6 to 1.e4 (ECO code B00). Black postpones the occupation of the centre with pawns, instead attacking it from the flank with the knight. The opening is named after the Latvian-Danish grandmaster and hyper-modern theorist Aron Nimzowitsch (1886-1935).
Typical Move-Orders & Main Ideas
- 1.e4 Nc6 2.d4 d5 – the Classical line. Black strikes back in the centre immediately; after 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.d5 White can enter the Nimzowitsch Gambit (see below).
- 1.e4 Nc6 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 Nf6 – often transposes to a Pirc/Modern set-up with ...g6.
- 1.e4 Nc6 2.Nf3 e5 – a route to the Scotch Four Knights or the Vienna Game, showing the opening’s transpositional nature.
Strategic Significance
In true hyper-modern style Black invites White to build a broad pawn centre and then undermines it later with pawn breaks such as …d5, …e5 or …f5. Because the knight stands on c6 instead of its more classical c-pawn, Black must handle space carefully and avoid being cramped.
Historical Notes
Nimzowitsch introduced the move in tournament play at St. Petersburg 1914, scoring an upset win over Alapin. Although never entirely mainstream, it has been a useful surprise weapon for grandmasters such as Bent Larsen, Tony Miles and, in rapid events, Magnus Carlsen.
Illustrative Game
Andersson – Miles, Biel 1978: Black eventually broke down the d5-pawn, showing the dynamic potential behind the opening.
Interesting Facts
- Because it starts with 1…Nc6, the Nimzowitsch Defense cannot be reached if White begins with 1.Nf3 or 1.d4, making it an attractive “pure” 1.e4 weapon.
- Aron Nimzowitsch himself called 1…Nc6 “an uncooked dish,” admitting it was risky but worth trying to confuse the opponent.
Scandinavian Defense
Definition
The Scandinavian Defense (or Center Counter) begins 1.e4 d5 (ECO codes B01–B02). Black challenges the king’s pawn immediately, forcing an early central confrontation.
Main Variations
- 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qa5 – the Classical or Main Line.
- 2.exd5 Nf6 – the Modern Variation, often regaining the pawn via …Nxd5.
- 2.e5 – the Scandinavian Advance, which resembles a French Advance with colors reversed.
Strategic & Historical Significance
The Scandinavian is one of the oldest recorded openings; a game from 1475 (Lucena) already features it. It had a long quiet period until it was revitalized by Danish master Curt Hansen and, most famously, by GM Sergei Tiviakov, who has scored over 80 % with it in hundreds of games.
Strategically, Black accepts a slight loss of tempi with the queen but gains:
- An immediate simplification of the centre.
- Rapid development for the queen’s bishop.
- Clear, easy-to-learn plans—attractive for club players.
Example Game
Anand – Tiviakov, Wijk aan Zee 1996: Black neutralized White’s initiative and held the former World Champion to a draw in just 25 moves.
Anecdotes
- In casual blitz, Mikhail Tal liked to answer 1.e4 with 1…d5 “to pull my opponent out of book on move one.”
- GM David Smerdon wrote an entire PhD-level statistical study on the Scandinavian while earning his economics doctorate—truly multitasking!
Bogoljubov (Bogo-Indian Defense)
Definition
The term “Bogoljubov” usually refers to the Bogo-Indian Defense, arising after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Bb4+ (ECO E11–E19). Named after Ukrainian-German grandmaster Efim Bogoljubov, it combines Indian-style piece play with a Nimzo-Indian-like pin, but only after White has avoided 3.Nc3.
Key Plans
- Black exchanges on d2 to damage White’s queenside structure, or retreats the bishop to e7/f8 keeping the tension.
- Typical pawn breaks include …c5 and …d5, aiming for a solid but flexible position.
- White often tries to exploit the loss of time incurred by the check with rapid central expansion (e4) or queenside fianchetto (g3, Bg2).
Historical Context
Bogoljubov introduced the line in the 1920s, notably against Capablanca and Alekhine. It became a staple of Karpov’s repertoire in the 1980s and saw a resurgence when Vladimir Kramnik adopted it in his World Championship matches.
Illustrative Game
Karpov – Kasparov, World Ch. (14) 1984: Karpov employed the quiet 4.Bd2, yet Kasparov eventually equalised with thematic …c5 and counter-pressure on the queenside.
Trivia
- The line sometimes appears via a “delayed Nimzo” move-order: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Nf3, after which …Bb4+ would transpose to a Bogo-Indian but is illegal—one of the many subtle traps in opening move-orders.
- Bogoljubov himself famously quipped, “When I’m White, I win because I am White; when I’m Black, I win because I am Bogoljubov.”
Berlin Defense to the Ruy Lopez
Definition
The Berlin Defense arises after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 (ECO C65-C67). Once viewed as solid but slightly passive, it has earned the nickname “Berlin Wall” for its robustness at the highest level.
Main Lines
- 4.O-O Nxe4 5.d4 Nd6 6.Bxc6 dxc6 7.dxe5 Nf5 8.Qxd8+
Leads to the famous Berlin Endgame with queens off the board. - 4.d3 – the Anti-Berlin, keeping queens on and posing fresh problems.
- 4.O-O Be7 – the Berlin Classical, played by Fischer.
Strategic & Historical Importance
The queenless endgame gives Black the bishop pair and a rock-solid structure, while White enjoys a nominal pawn majority on the kingside. Vladimir Kramnik used the Berlin extensively to dethrone Garry Kasparov in the 2000 World Championship, popularising it for the modern era.
Famous Encounter
Kasparov – Kramnik, World Ch. (2) 2000: Kramnik’s painless draw shocked the chess world and set the tone for the match.
Did You Know?
- Because theoretical lines stretch beyond move 40, top grandmasters often keep a separate “Berlin file” thicker than many complete repertoires.
- Magnus Carlsen defended the Berlin endgame against Fabiano Caruana in the 2018 World Championship with disconcerting ease, reinforcing its elite status.
Nimzowitsch Gambit
Definition
The Nimzowitsch Gambit usually refers to the pawn sacrifice arising from the Nimzowitsch Defense:
1.e4 Nc6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.d5!?
White offers a pawn to seize space, drive away the c6-knight and open lines. ECO classifies it under B00, “Nimzowitsch Defense, Chigorin (or Nimzowitsch) Gambit.”
Key Ideas for White
- Gain time by attacking the knight with d5 and later dxc6.
- Develop rapidly with pieces flowing to c4, Nge2, O-O-O.
- Exploit the semi-open e- and d-files against Black’s uncastled king.
Key Ideas for Black
- Return the pawn with …Nb8 …e6 to finish development safely.
- Counter-attack the advanced d5-pawn with …Nf6 and …c6.
Example Line
White’s centre looks imposing, but Black hopes to undermine it with …e6 and …exd5.
Historical & Anecdotal Notes
- Aron Nimzowitsch experimented with the gambit in simultaneous exhibitions, scoring several miniature wins.
- Although objectively risky, it has surprise value in rapid/blitz; famed attacking player Alexander Morozevich rolled it out in internet events during the early 2000s.