Queen's Indian: Nimzowitsch, 5.Qc2
Queen's Indian: Nimzowitsch, 5.Qc2
Definition
The Nimzowitsch Variation of the Queen’s Indian Defence arises after the moves 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Bb7 5. Qc2. The early queen move to c2 supports the central advance e2–e4 while keeping White’s pawn structure flexible and avoiding the doubled c-pawns that can occur in related openings such as the Nimzo-Indian (where Black can pin the knight with … Bb4). It is named after the Latvian-born grandmaster Aaron (Aron) Nimzowitsch, a leading hyper-modern theorist of the 1920s and 1930s.
Typical Move Order
The most common sequence is:
- 1. d4 Nf6
- 2. c4 e6
- 3. Nf3 b6
- 4. g3 Bb7
- 5. Qc2 Be7 (or 5…c5 / 5…Bb4+)
Strategic Ideas
- Supporting e4: By covering e4, the queen enables White to play the thematic pawn break e2–e4 in one move instead of the more time-consuming Nbd2–e4.
- Avoiding the pin: Because the white knight is already developed to f3 and not to c3, Black cannot immediately execute the typical Nimzo-Indian pin …Bb4.
- Flexible bishop deployment: White’s dark-squared bishop on g2 exerts long-range pressure on the central and queenside dark squares, especially the e4–h1 diagonal, while the queen on c2 reinforces both c- and e-pawns.
- Control of the light squares: Black often tries …d7–d5 or …c7–c5 to strike back in the centre. White is prepared to answer d4-d5, fixing a space advantage, or to capture and transition to an isolated-queen-pawn position with improved minor-piece activity.
Main Black Replies
- 5…c5: The most combative line, challenging the centre immediately. After 6. d5 exd5 7. cxd5 Nxd5 8. Bg2, the position often transposes to Benoni-like or IQP structures.
- 5…Be7 6. Bg2 O-O 7. O-O: Black keeps the tension and awaits White’s decision about e4. Plans include …d5 or …c5 later.
- 5…Bb4+ 6. Bd2: A check that tries to exploit the queen’s placement; if White exchanges bishops early the dark squares around e4 may weaken.
Historical Significance
Aaron Nimzowitsch introduced the idea of an early Qc2 in several queen-pawn openings as part of his broader strategy of controlling central squares from afar. The line enjoyed a renaissance in the late 20th century when grandmasters such as Ulf Andersson, Viktor Korchnoi, and Vladimir Kramnik added it to their repertoires to avoid heavily analysed main-line Queen’s Indians.
Illustrative Games
- Andersson – Karpov, Milan 1975: A classic positional squeeze in which Andersson slowly expanded with e4 and d5, eventually fixing Black with a backward c-pawn.
- Kramnik – Anand, Wijk aan Zee 1998: Showcased the modern plan of Rc1, Rd1, and d5 ideas, leading to an IQP middlegame where White’s activity outweighed the pawn structure.
-
Carlsen – Nakamura, London 2013: Demonstrated how quickly White
can generate kingside pressure when Black delays …d5; Carlsen’s
pawn-storm f3-g4-h4 was decisive.
Common Plans for Both Sides
- White
- Play e4 in a single move, sometimes prepared by Rd1 to indirectly pin Black’s queen after …d5.
- Expand on the queenside with b3, Bb2, and cxd5 when favourable, leading to minority-attack themes against c- and d-pawns.
- Exchange or reroute the dark-squared bishop if the long diagonal becomes blocked; Nd2-b3-d4 is a frequent manoeuvre.
- Black
- Break with …d5 or …c5 at the right moment to avoid a passive position.
- Seek piece play against the somewhat exposed queen on c2 via …Be4, …Na6-b4, or …Rc8/c5.
- Use the fianchetto bishop on b7 to pressure e4 once White pushes the pawn.
Typical Middlegame Themes
IQP positions, Benoni structures, and symmetrical pawn formations can all arise from the Nimzowitsch Variation, making it a fertile ground for strategic creativity. Endgames often favour White’s spatial advantage, but Black’s bishop pair and active rook play offer dynamic counter-chances.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- Aaron Nimzowitsch reportedly tried Qc2 in club games as early as 1910, recording in his notebook, “The queen need not fear early adventures.”
- Computer engines originally disliked 5. Qc2, evaluating it as −0.20 in the 1990s. Modern neural-network engines, however, often grant White a small plus due to the long-term pressure on the light squares.
- The variation allows a rare “triple fianchetto” if White later plays b3 and Bb2 – a curiosity that sometimes appears in blitz games.
Summary
The Nimzowitsch 5.Qc2 system is a flexible, strategically rich way for White to combat the Queen’s Indian Defence. By pre-emptively supporting e4 and sidestepping heavily analysed lines, it provides ample room for original play and has been successfully employed by positional virtuosos and tactical sluggers alike.