The central idea
The Nimzo-Indian Defense uses ...Bb4 to pin the knight on c3 and pressure White's center. Black trades the bishop pair or concedes structural decisions for active control of e4 and the central dark squares.
Typical plans
- Decide whether to exchange on c3 based on the resulting pawn structure.
- Challenge e4 and prepare ...d5 or ...c5.
- Develop the queenside without losing the lead in central activity.
Common mistakes
- Giving up the bishop pair without gaining a concrete structural or positional benefit.
- Allowing e4 when the pin has achieved nothing.
- Delaying development while repeating bishop moves.