Nimzowitsch Defence: 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.c3
Nimzowitsch Defence: 1. e4 Nc6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. c3
Definition
The Nimzowitsch Defence is a reply to 1. e4 that begins with 1...Nc6, immediately developing the queen’s knight to an active but slightly unconventional square. After 2. d4 d5 White pushes the e-pawn again with 3. e5, grabbing space and driving the knight from c6. Black sidesteps theory-heavy open games and chooses 3…Bf5, placing the bishop outside the pawn chain before closing the centre. White’s 4. c3 supports the d4-pawn and prepares a future pawn wedge with f4 or even g4. This exact four-move sequence is sometimes called the “Advance–Williams Variation” of the Nimzowitsch Defence.
Strategic Themes
- Space vs. Flexibility – White owns more central space (pawns on e5 & d4) but must justify it by swift development.
- The c-pawn lever – 4. c3 shores up d4 and prepares c4 in some lines, mimicking a French Defence Advance set-up.
- Black’s pawn breaks – Typical counterplay comes from …f6 (striking at e5) or …e6 followed by …c5.
- Piece placement – Black’s c6-knight will often re-route to e7 or h6/g7, while the dark-squared bishop may drop back to g6 or h7 to avoid harassment.
Typical Plans
- For White
- Develop rapidly with Nf3, Bd3, Ne2, 0-0.
- Launch a kingside expansion with f4–f5 (sometimes supported by g4).
- Break in the centre with c4 if Black delays …e6.
- For Black
- Challenge the e5-pawn by …f6 or …c5.
- Castle kingside quickly; the queen often goes to d7 or b6.
- In some positions transpose into French-like structures (…e6, …c5) while keeping the light-squared bishop outside the chain—a key positional asset.
Historical Notes
Aron Nimzowitsch (1886-1935), leading figure of the hyper-modern school, first analysed 1…Nc6 in the 1910s, advocating piece pressure on the centre instead of occupying it immediately with pawns. Although the Nimzowitsch Defence has never been a staple at world-championship level, it serves as a surprise weapon and has enjoyed periodic revivals—most notably by grandmasters such as Igor Glek, Alexander Shabalov, and more recently Baadur Jobava and Hikaru Nakamura in rapid/blitz formats.
Illustrative Mini-Game
The following short skirmish shows the central ideas:
White’s space advantage is clear, but Black eventually breaks with …e5 and exploits open lines toward the white king—illustrating the double-edged nature of the variation.
Famous Encounters
- H. Nakamura – B. Jobava, World Rapid 2015: a wild draw where both sides castled opposite wings after this move order.
- A. Glek – A. Sokolov, Bundesliga 1997: Glek used 4. c3 followed by f4 to launch a kingside pawn storm and won in 31 moves.
Interesting Facts
- The move order 3…Bf5 often transposes to French Defence territory if Black later plays …e6, but with the “problem bishop” already liberated.
- Because the c-pawn remains on c2 until move four, White can still decide between c3, c4, or even Nc3, keeping Black guessing in practical play.
- In bullet chess on Hikaru Nakamura, the line is a favourite for its imbalance and surprise value—leading to highly tactical struggles from the very first moves.