Modern Nimzo-Indian

Introduction

GM Viktor Bologan has played the Nimzo against Karpov and other world champions. One of his weapons against 4.Qc2, 4...Nc6 followed by ...d6 and ...e5, is an old love from the Moldovan school of Chebanenko.

The repertoire has a clear character. Black gives up the dark-squared bishop on c3. What Black gets for the bishop pair depends on the line. Against 4.a3 and in several 4.e3 systems it is the doubled c-pawns: ...c5 fixes them, and ...b6, ...Ba6 and ...Nc6-a5 go after c4, which no pawn can defend. Against 4.Qc2, where the queen recaptures, it is time, and Black has to play quickly with ...d5 and ...c5.

Underneath all of it is one square. White's whole strategy in the Nimzo is about e4. Black's most frequent answer, ...c5 the moment White prepares e4 with f3, is about denying it.

The chapters follow White's fourth moves: 4.Qc2, the sidelines from 4.a3 to 4.Bf4, the main line 4.e3, and 4.f3.