Nimzo Indian

If I really wanted to mix it up, I might consider 4. Bg5. Spassky clearly liked the line and I believe had some nice wins. It seems a sharp line and Fischer in My60MG didn't think much of it but it looked like it did produce results. Though it's not clear whether it's mostly from the opening's merit or opponents not being well prepared.

The Hubner variation is interesting. Remember in the 80's top GM's, particularly Gligoric, losing game after game as white against it. Pretty sure it contributed to those GM's moving away from facing the Nimzo at all. In this thread though http://www.chess.com/video/player/the-complete-nimzo-indian-6-the-huebner-variation, peope have quite different opinion. Personally think there are some quite dubious interpretation of db stats in that thread, and a positional sound line like the Hubner won't ever be busted. From the white side I would take the message that do better to avoid the completely blocked positions with e4, and d5.

Why wouldn't you play 4.Nbd2 instead of 4.Bd2 and continue to play Bogo-Indian if you like having two bishops?

Tony Kosten's "Mastering the Nimzo-Indian" provides an excellent overview in which each chapter is devoted to a Nimzo pawn structure and its corresponding strategy and piece play.

It's a hard book to find these days, but if you can find it, you could use it to shop around for the structures you prefer.

pfren: Today I found a used copy of Gligoric's "Play the Nimzo-Indian Defence." Looks rich and well-explained.

Thanks for recommendation.

Alison: This might be a good book for you to browse if you can find it.

Jobava had an interesting game in this line doing his usual thing of sacrificing material and getting it back later. 

IMpfren,

Thanks for posting the game. Very interesting.

Looking at the game at 7...Na6, I'm figuring White's probably better. Black used a tempo with the N move and Black's KB isn't going anywhere. But after 8. g3 it seems that the tempo went to Black pretty quickly. For the next combination sequences it seems White is almost getting a nice advantage but is always one move too late.

Could there be a possible improvement at 8. g3? I was thinking 8. f3 was worth considering. Seems to restrict ...Bb7 diagonal threat, restricts N on f6 while protecting e4, and with B still on f1 diagonal looks like it could give some tactical possibilities on Black's jumbled Qside.

On the downside it might weaken e3 and g3 a bit but to exploit Black would probably have to get the KB out to c8 which would release the pin and greatly strengthen White's center for an e4 and maybe e5 push.

For follow up, I might  try to release the pin with Bd2 and then Ng3 so 0-0 and look for e4. I'm not sure but I don't think Black has the time or is position to mount anything major so White might hold tempo and position. Is there any theory on 8. f3 available?

Yes, there is but can't say know much about this risky line. Sokolov thinks playing f3 gives extra tactical possibilites to black because of the delay in the development.

I was looking at 8.g3 with a bit of trepidation as well - because it is weakening...but if you play f3 there, I feel like you have to be reconciled with Kf2 instead of O-O (not that you *can't* castle, but you may not get the path clear in time). The other option is to commit the knight to g3 or f4 and move the bishop to d3....but then we're in a line that is no longer unique to the 5.Nge2 idea. 

Anyway - it's still quite telling that pfren's opponent totally 'fell' for his amazing opening preparation and still ended up in a drawn rook v minor piece ending.

The Jobava game was also really exciting....it looked like white might be getting somewhere...and it was a drawn minor piece ending. 

If one of YOUR opponents fell for the opening preparation, would they be able to draw it?

.....definitely not.....if I were playing IM level chess, I might think about avoiding the Nimzo (as has been many times suggested) - because it seems like white doesn't 'get' anything from it other than the potential for a dynamic game.

But my opponents aren't IMs, and imbalanced positions will favor the better prepared player and the more studied player - both of which are usually me (not a brag - I have a very low rating for the amount of study I've done). Converting exchange-up endings is not rocket science at the bottom of the classes. 

Today's computer based opening prep seems very tricky. Even at the WC level it can be unreliable. I remember seeing Kramnik with White, maybe v. Carlsen, apparently following a computer based line being with what looked to be in a positionally relatively weak state (Rooks and other pieces uncoordinated) but with good pull.

If I remember right, he either misjudged or transposed around move 20 or so and with reasonably natural play by Black Kramnik got worse fairly quickly.

It seems Computer's value initiative very highly compared to position. Why not when you can see all variations 15 or more moves ahead? But for humans, it might put them in a worse condition if they don'y play exactly.

In IMpfren's game, Black's plan looks unclear to. The N & B Qside might seem to indicate that going for general equality is out the window and that pressure on the a8 diagonal and c-file will try to dominate.

If that's the case and since computer lines often seem to rest on tempo, I would of thought after 10. d5 ... Ne4 might've been likely. Then around move 13 or so, Black would either have a much stronger c4 or White's other N gone so no tempo loss at 16...Qb8.

So I guess I'm not sure what to make of the text. I'm wondering does the computer actually recommend 10...Bxc3+ and then 11...0-0 or did Black break the line?

Related to the endgame, being up the exchange straight probably clearly favors White. I'm not sure the exchange minus 2P. Maybe Black could've improved in the endgame. Probably doesn't help but maybe something like 38... N3d4+ then ...Nc2 then ...N4d4 and then not look so much to promote c but try to get another passer Kside in exchange. Thinking N and d plus Kside majority vs R and somewhat distant K might put Black better.

Think part of good opening play is knowing what comfortable with. For me know not going to be playing positon with Ba5 and Na6. Chould have shown you the Sokolov lines, but don't see much point typing out lines I don't understand. To be honest if can't see 10...BxNch is necessary because b4 is coming, likely line not for you either.

Sorry about that. I guess I miscalculated. I was thinking if White b4 then strange ...Nc5 figuring White bxa5 then I was looking at ...Qf6 threats and then ...Qg6 ... Nd3+ threats as plucking off a Rook. Figuring maybe I'd be down two pieces for a Rook but White's King's exposed with my Rooks connected.

I have to admit I'm getting older (and lazy) and the complications are a bit too much for me on a 2d computer screen, so its likely I missed something.

But I'm still unclear on Black's line. If 10...Bxc3+ is necessary then the advantage seems to rest on White's g3, Bg2, 0-0 tempo loss? But looking at 15...dxc4 White still has got tactical chances two pawns down and the B still on c1.

I don't know. I just get the feeling that there should be something to cause Black some trouble for ...Ba5 and Na6 and there should be something to cause some trouble for White taking the time to unscramble the Kside.

But you're absolutely correct! This line ain't for me!

I'm wondering if we're looking at same position because Qf6 doesn't seem possible, or much else hoping for really.

Please join my tournament on Nimzo-

http://www.chess.com/tournament/nimzo-indian-defense14