Download PGN of June ’25 Nimzo and Benoni games
>> Previous Update >>
Nimzo-Indian: 4 g3 0-0 5 Bg2 [E20]
4 g3 0-0 5 Bg2 d5 6 Nf3 dxc4 7 0-0 Nc6 8 a3 Be7 9 e4 a6!:
             |
We’ve seen before that Pragg has played 8 a3 more than once, and more recently Magnus Carlsen also tried it. In this position against Duda, Carlsen played the rare move 10 h4!?. This proved to be highly successful in this game, even if objectively 10 h4 isn’t the best option. For analysis of this and alternatives, see the notes to Carlsen, M - Duda, J.
4 g3 0-0 5 Bg2 d5 6 a3 Bxc3+ 7 bxc3 dxc4:
|
|
6 a3 is the main alternative to 6 Nf3. In the diagrammed position White has typically continued with 8 Nf3. However, Erigaisi has twice played 8 a4!? recently, both time with success. White makes it a real gambit and relies on positional advantages as compensation. See Erigaisi, A - Gukesh, D for analysis.
4 g3 0-0 5 Bg2 Nc6:
|
|
With the 4 g3 Nimzo-Indian move order, there’s certainly some appeal to choosing something different to the ...d5 lines. We’ve seen the typical Nimzo approach with 5...d6 6 Nf3 Bxc3+ 7 bxc3, and 5...Nc6 is aiming for something similar. In another recent Erigaisi game, the Indian GM instead tried 6 e4!? reaching unknown territory - see Erigaisi, A - McShane, L for analysis.
Nimzo-Indian: 4 a3 Bxc3+ 5 bxc3 c5 6 e3 b6!? [E26]
4 a3 Bxc3+ 5 bxc3 c5 6 e3 b6!? 7 Bd3 Bb7 8 f3 Nc6 9 Ne2 0-0 10 e4 Ne8 11 0-0 Ba6 12 e5 Na5 13 f4 f5 14 d5!:
|
|
6...0-0 is the main line, but 6...b6 may transpose to the same positions where both sides play an extra move: Black with ...Bb7-a6 and White with f2-f3-f4, as seen here. This is a critical position that we’ve covered before. 14...Bxc4 15 Bxc4 Nxc4 16 d6! leaves White with long-term compensation, as shown in numerous games. In a recent game, Pragg chose to decline the offer of the pawn and instead engaged in battle in the centre with 14...d6!, leading to a very sharp position - see Firouzja, A - Praggnanandhaa, R.
Nimzo: 4 Qc2 0-0 5 a3 Bxc3+ 6 Qxc3 b6 7 Bg5 Bb7 8 f3 [E32]
4 Qc2 0-0 5 a3 Bxc3+ 6 Qxc3 b6 7 Bg5 Bb7 8 f3 h6 9 Bh4 d5:
|
|
We could call 6...b6 the old line, as it was very popular for many years before 6...d5 began to take over in the late 2000s. When 6...b6 was fashionable, it was considered premature to play 10 cxd5!? here as it could lead to problems down the half-open e-file, and White should wait for ...Nbd7 before capturing so that Black loses the option of ... c5/...Nc6. Modern engines, however, recognise that 10 cxd5 is fully playable. After 10...exd5 11 e3 Re8, 12 Ne2! is a relatively new idea, which has been tried in numerous correspondence games.
|
|
By blocking the e-file, counterplay with ...c5 is discouraged. Bxf6 is probably a threat here. After 12...Nbd7, White’s idea is 13 Nc1!, a clever way to unravel and complete kingside development. This is analysed in the recent game Pultinevicius, P - Harikrishna, P.
Nimzo-Indian: 4 e3 b6 5 Bd3 Bb7 6 Nf3 0-0 7 0-0 c5 [E43]
4 e3 b6 5 Bd3 Bb7 6 Nf3 0-0 7 0-0 c5:
|
|
Among the top grandmasters, the Keres Variation (7...c5) seems to be the preferred choice here. 8 Na4 is the main line; and we’ve also considered 8 Bd2 (see games in the archives). In a recent game, however, White chose the 8 Re1!?. See Riazantsev, A - Matinian, N for analysis of this tricky move.
Till next time, John
>> Previous Update >>
Feel free to share your ideas and opinions on the Forum (the link above on the right), while subscribers with any questions can email me at JohnEmms@ChessPublishing.com.