Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, O'Kelly Variation

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.a3 Bxc3+ 5.bxc3 c5 6.e3 b6

ECO E26

The Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, O'Kelly 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 Bxc3+ 5.bxc3 c5 6.e3 b6.

It is catalogued under code E26 in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings (ECO).

The defining move b6 is chosen by Black on move 6.

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.