Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Botvinnik System

Chess players who want to initiate with a central pawn usually play 1.d4 to control a significant portion of the board's center. The move d4 is strategically important as it helps White create a strong pawn chain starting with e3 and d4. This pawn structure helps White to establish a space advantage in the center and create pressure on Black's position, which can limit Black's options and restrict their game plan.

The move Nf6 by Black develops a knight and attacks White's pawn on d4. By placing the knight on f6, Black controls the central squares and contributes to their own space control. Moreover, the knight aims to eventually support the pawn break with ...e5, which can help Black liberate their game and target White's center. The move Nf6 also prepares for possible tactical motifs involving a discovered attack on the queen or knight.

White's move c4 aims to gain control of the important central squares of d5 and e4 while also preparing to develop the knight to c3. The pawn move to c4 supports d4 by protecting it and creates a pawn duo that can potentially advance and control more space. It also prevents Black's pawn from occupying the c4 square, which can restrict White's plans. The move c4 is a critical move in many opening systems as it lays the foundation for creating a dynamic central pawn structure and maintaining control of the board.

In the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Botvinnik System, Black's move e6 consolidates the pawn chain formed by d6 and prepares to develop the light-squared bishop. It also supports the central pawn break with ...d5, which will help challenge White's central control. By advancing the pawn to e6, Black strengthens their position and prepares for the coming struggle in the center. Moreover, the pawn on e6 can also offer defensive resources against possible enemy attacks on the light squares.

White's move Nc3 in response to Black's e6 aims to further develop and protect the central pawn on d4 while also preparing for the fianchetto of the kingside bishop. Placing the knight on c3 centralizes the piece and contributes to an eventual pressure on Black's center. Moreover, the knight on c3 is well-placed to control the d5 square, which can limit Black's counterplay. Additionally, Nc3 aims to free the pawn on f2 to generate more pressure on the center with e3 if needed. Finally, with Nc3, White can also prevent Black's bishop from pinning the knight on d2.

In response to White's Nc3, Black plays Bb4 to attack the knight on c3 and force White to potentially retreat or exchange the knight. Moreover, this move pins the knight on c3 to the queen on d1, which can cause tactical threats in some variations where White tries to move the queen. Additionally, developing the bishop to b4 supports Black's central control and prepares to castle queenside. Bb4 also puts pressure on White's pawn on c4, making it harder for White to advance it. Finally, Bb4 can potentially limit White's options for developing the kingside knight to f3, which would double the pawns.

In the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Botvinnik System, White's move e3 aims to support the central pawn chain of d4 and prevent Black's bishop from pinning the knight on c3. By playing e3, White prepares a flexible formation with the possibility of transposing to a King's Indian Defense or Reti Opening. Moreover, e3 solidifies White's position and prepares to develop the kingside bishop, usually with Bf4 or Be2. Finally, e3 covers the square d4, which can prevent Black's pawn from occupying it and help White maintain their central control.

In response to White's move e3, Black plays O-O to safely develop their king and secure it behind a pawn shield. Kingside castling improves the king's safety by hiding it away from the center and preparing the rook to potentially participate in the game. Additionally, castling creates a more flexible position by connecting the rooks and strengthening the pawn structure around the king. Moreover, O-O can prepare Black to advance their pawns on the queenside and launch an attack on the White's position. Finally, castling can also help Black evade any potential tactical threats from White's pieces.

White's move Bd3 in response to Black's O-O aims to complete their development by placing the bishop on a strong diagonal. By positioning the bishop on d3, White eyes the b5 square and threatens to capture Black's dark-squared bishop. Additionally, the bishop on d3 contributes to the control of the central squares and prevents Black from advancing the pawn to d5 with their queen. Moreover, the bishop on d3 indirectly supports the pawn on e3, which can be useful in making a pawn break with f4 if needed. Lastly, Bd3 prepares White's pieces to target the queenside, where Black may have weak pawns.

In the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Botvinnik System, Black's move d5 aims to challenge White's central control and gain space for their pieces. By advancing the pawn to d5, Black opens up lines of the bishop on b7, the queen on c8, and potentially puts pressure on White's position. Moreover, d5 can potentially lead to an exchange of pawns, allowing Black to develop their pieces with tempo. Additionally, d5 can create weak pawns on White's position and offer potential targets for Black's pieces. Lastly, d5 can contribute to the creation of an open position, which will benefit Black's bishops and queen.

White's move a3 aims to force Black's bishop to retreat and limit its potential mobility. By moving the pawn to a3, White prepares to capture the bishop if it retreats to a5, which can gain a tempo. Additionally, with the pawn on a3, White can prevent any future b4 move by Black that can create pressure on White's center. Moreover, the move a3 prepares the pawn break with b4, which can potentially create queenside counterplay. Finally, the pawn on a3 can create a barrier to prevent Black's pawns from advancing to b4, which would otherwise create semi-open files for Black's heavy pieces.

In this position, Black's move Bxc3+ aims to damage White's pawn structure and offer a choice between recapturing with the bishop or pawn. By taking on c3 with the bishop, Black creates doubled pawns on White's b-file, which can potentially weaken their pawn structure and limit their possibilities of pawn breaks. Additionally, Bxc3+ opens up the c-file, which Black can potentially utilize later in the game. Moreover, taking on c3 with the bishop exerts pressure on White's queen, which can force it to an unfavorable position. Finally, Bxc3+ can potentially force White to recapture with the pawn, creating a central pawn majority for Black.

In the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Botvinnik System, White's move bxc3 recaptures the bishop on c3 with the pawn. This move reinforces the d4 pawn and keeps White's pawn structure intact. Additionally, by recapturing with the pawn, White avoids the creation of doubled pawns on the b-file, which can weaken their position. Moreover, bxc3 opens up the b-file and prepares White for a potential queenside pawn break with b4. Additionally, the pawn on c3 was protecting the b4 square, so by taking it, b4 becomes a loose square that Black may have to defend. Lastly, bxc3 prepares White's position for the possible development of their queenside pieces.