How do you play the 4.e3 variation of the Nimzo?

I can't find any really good online sources on how to play the 4.e3 Nimzo-Indian from the white side. Anyone here have that in their repertoire? If so, I'd love any advice you can give me.

care to show a position? to make sure that we are thinking of the exact same position.

Can you show a board so we have a visual? Thanks

its d4 Nf6 c4 e6 Nc3 Bg5 e3

check the master games database

4...b6 5 Bd2 O-O 6 Bd3...

Thats the first thing I got

The Nimzo-Indian is the only opening with the white pieces I really dread seeing, so if I can figure this out, I should have a really strong repertoire.

play something other than e3 then

you should also probably learn a few e5 openings as backups.

they meant for black

but he said with the white pieces

wait nvm i misunderstood what he said

I play the white pieces; sorry I didn't make that clear. There's plenty of stuff online for playing the Nimzo from the black side but not much for playing from the white.

This is all really useful thanks . I always kind of wanted to try the Nimzo with white.

No problem

Hello! I am about 2200 USCF and if you play the e3 Nimzo with white, there are a few things to note:

The main move is 0-0, I would say this is probably most of what you should study against. After 0-0, white has a few options. The main line is 5.Bd3, with the plan of Nf3 and 0-0 next. If black does nothing, we can take the center and we are happy. The main move is 5.d5, and then we can play 6.Nf3 anyway. If your opponent knows what they are doing, we go down this line of some exchanges (Nf3, dxc4 Bxc4 c5 8. 0-0 and now there are several moves for black). In this position, I would suggest studying the IQP in general, not learning too much specific theory. Most likely, black will play c5 and cxd4 (like in this sample line) and we get an IQP position where white has attacking chances, but the isolated pawn.

(a possible) Main line of the e3 Nimzo: 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Bd3 d5 6. Nf3 dxc4 7. Bxc4 c5 8. O-O cxd4 9. exd4 b6

Best regards,

Gary

The Nimzo Indian is a strong defense and massive as well. I got tired playing against it and began playing a Petrosian Queens Indian. (4 a3) so the game then becomes more positional. Also black players are often caught off guard. The ideas/variations are not difficult to learn.

Thank you @Giantgoogachess! That was super insightful. I think I prefer the Rubenstein with 5.Ne2 over 5.Bd3, mostly because I like to avoid the IQP, but that's just me. Also, isn't 4.a3 called the Samisch variation? Thank you all. I did find my MCO 14th edition book and found some lines in there.