Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric System

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3 O-O 5.Bd3 d5 6.Nf3 c5

ECO E53

The Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric System is a chess opening line in the Nimzo-Indian Defense complex, reached after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3 O-O 5.Bd3 d5 6.Nf3 c5.

It is catalogued under code E53 in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings (ECO).

The defining move c5 is chosen by Black on move 6.

5 named continuations branch from this position, including the Keres Variation and the Exchange Variation.

Named variations

• Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric System, Keres Variation — ECO E53
• Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric System, Exchange Variation — ECO E54
• Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric System, Smyslov Variation — ECO E54
• Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric System, Bronstein Variation — ECO E55
• Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric System, Bernstein Defense — ECO E56

Study this line with a grandmaster

This position is covered in the Nimzo-Indian Defense course: a GM-authored repertoire you study move by move, then practice against a human-like AI opponent.

Every chess term used here is defined in the chess terms glossary. Browse all opening courses or the full ECO code index.