Nimzo-Indian Defense: Rubinstein System

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3

ECO E40

The Nimzo-Indian Defense: Rubinstein 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.

It is catalogued under code E40 in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings (ECO).

The defining move e3 is chosen by White on move 4.

3 named continuations branch from this position, including the Taimanov Variation and the Hübner Variation.

Named variations

• Nimzo-Indian Defense: Rubinstein System, Taimanov Variation — ECO E40
• Nimzo-Indian Defense: Rubinstein System, Hübner Variation — ECO E41
• Nimzo-Indian Defense: Rubinstein System, Rubinstein Variation — ECO E42

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.