Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.a3

ECO E24

The Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation is a chess opening line in the Nimzo-Indian Defense complex, reached after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.a3.

It is catalogued under code E24 in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings (ECO).

The defining move a3 is chosen by White on move 4.

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

Named variations

• Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Botvinnik Variation — ECO E24
• Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Keres Variation — ECO E25
• Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Romanovsky Variation — ECO E25
• Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, O'Kelly Variation — ECO E26
• Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Capablanca Variation — ECO E29

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.