What is Black's best line in the Nimzo-Indian Rubinstein

Sort:
Avatar of gundamv

As a matter of theory, what is currently the best line for Black in the Nimzo-Indian Rubinstein (4 e3) variation?

 

I know that there are many playable lines here.  Some lines that come to mind are the Karpov Variation, the Huebner Variation, the Tal/Petrosian/Classical Variation, and the Romanishin-Psakhis (spelling?) Variation.  There might be others whose name I had forgotten.  Just wondering which line is best.

Avatar of gundamv

bump

Avatar of moonnie

It depends on what result you want :)

Perhaps the most correct is the Karpov Variation but it tends to be drawish (a result of being correct perhaps). 

Avatar of gundamv

How about if I want to play for a win?

A quick rundown on the key characteristics of those variations would also be much appreciated.

Avatar of DrSpudnik

Black's best line is the Nimzo-Indian.

Avatar of gundamv

I'm asking about the subvariations of the Nimzo-Indian.

Avatar of gundamv

Bump.  Please help.

Avatar of Ubik42

I play the white side. There are a lot of playable lines for black after e3, I don't think you should think of any one as a "best" line. ...c5 is probably the sharpest. ...d5 could catch the routine Nge2 players unaware since its an infrequently played line, and stumbling along with the N to e2 puts white in a unconfortable position when black follows up with dxc4. I think 0-0 is currently the elite favorite. There are other lines. No one is considered best.

Avatar of moonnie

So what you are saying. Give me the lines of the Nimzo Indian ? I suggest you get a book because it is a bit too much for a post :) The following book is very good !

http://www.newinchess.com/The_Strategic_Nimzo_Indian-p-969.html

Look there is also a wikipedia page with the different variations ! 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nimzo-Indian_Defence

Avatar of pfren

I like (as Black) the Karpov, and against 4.e3 0-0 5.Nge2 (recommended in two recent repertoire books by Watson and Schandorff) the rather rare (yet) but excellent 5...c6!?

Avatar of gundamv
moonnie wrote:

So what you are saying. Give me the lines of the Nimzo Indian ? I suggest you get a book because it is a bit too much for a post :) The following book is very good !

http://www.newinchess.com/The_Strategic_Nimzo_Indian-p-969.html

Look there is also a wikipedia page with the different variations ! 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nimzo-Indian_Defence

Not "give me the lines" but more "recommend me a line to play"

Avatar of gundamv
pfren wrote:

I like (as Black) the Karpov, and against 4.e3 0-0 5.Nge2 (recommended in two recent repertoire books by Watson and Schandorff) the rather rare (yet) but excellent 5...c6!?

Thanks.

Avatar of DrSpudnik

With a system as huge as the Nimzo, you'll nail down something against the Rubinstein only to find everyone plays the Saemisch or the Leningrad or the classical...

It's like the Sicilian of the Q-pawn openings.

Avatar of lolhaiderlol
Avatar of Stubbornness
pfren wrote:

I like (as Black) the Karpov, and against 4.e3 0-0 5.Nge2 (recommended in two recent repertoire books by Watson and Schandorff) the rather rare (yet) but excellent 5...c6!?

Could you please post the titles of the books? I have sought them invane over the Internet. Thanks! Laughing

Avatar of moonnie

They are 2 books writen from the white perspective of the Nimzo.

Watson: https://www.newinchess.com/A_Strategic_Chess_Opening_Repertoire_for_White-p-7092.html

Schandorff: https://www.newinchess.com/Playing_1_d4___The_Indian_Defences-p-7095.html

Avatar of Stubbornness

Thanks a lot! Laughing

Avatar of frank1234567890frank
Avatar of frank1234567890frank

This is probably the sharpest line in the whole Rubinstein Variation

Black has enough compensation for the sacrificed pawns, but not more.

Avatar of frank1234567890frank
frank1234567890frank wrote: