Nimzo-Indian Defense: Spielmann Variation

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Qb3

ECO E22

The Nimzo-Indian Defense: Spielmann Variation is a chess opening line in the Nimzo-Indian Defense complex, reached after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Qb3.

It is catalogued under code E22 in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings (ECO).

The defining move Qb3 is chosen by White on move 4.

3 named continuations branch from this position, including the Carlsbad Variation and the Romanovsky Gambit.

Named variations

• Nimzo-Indian Defense: Spielmann Variation, Carlsbad Variation — ECO E23
• Nimzo-Indian Defense: Spielmann Variation, Romanovsky Gambit — ECO E23
• Nimzo-Indian Defense: Spielmann Variation, Stahlberg Variation — ECO E23

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.