Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric System, Smyslov Variation

Chess game openings are considered the foundation of any good game strategy. One popular opening is 1. d4. This move allows white to control the center of the board and prepare for better piece development. With the move, white aims to gain control over the e5 square and restrict black's pawn movement. White's focus on the center is a fundamental principle that can be applied to different chess openings.

Black plays Nf6 in response to white's d4 to contest the center of the board. The knight can move to either e4 or d7, putting pressure on white's central pawn and preventing white from establishing a pawn chain. Additionally, the knight on f6 can also participate in potential future attacks on white's kingside or assist in defensive maneuvers. In sum, Nf6 is a flexible move that can help Black achieve a sound position in the opening.

White's move c4 is called the Queen's Pawn opening, and it further expands White's control of the center. By playing c4, White challenges Black's knight on f6 and also prepares to develop their c1 bishop to the active g5 square or fianchetto it to g2. The move c4 also frees the queen's bishop. In sum, c4 is a strong move that helps White establish a solid control over the board.

In the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric System, Smyslov Variation, Black typically plays e6 after white's c4 move. The move e6 supports Black's pawn on d5 and prepares to control the center with moves like d5 and Nc6. Additionally, e6 allows Black's light-squared bishop to be developed to the active d6 or b4 squares. The move e6 also helps to restrain White's pawn on d4, making it difficult for White to advance in the center. In sum, e6 is a strong move that solidifies Black's position and prepares for future developments.

White's move Nc3 after the sequence 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6, is a natural development move that prepares for subsequent pawn moves to control the center. The knight can be developed to the e2 square, defending the d4 pawn, or to the d5 square, where it can put immediate pressure on Black's pawn on c7. Additionally, the move Nc3 is a prerequisite for the coming move e3, which helps to clamp down on any potential activity by Black's light-squared bishop. In sum, Nc3 is a strong move that serves to support White's central control and facilitate future piece development.

After the moves 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3, Black plays Bb4 to put pressure on White's knight. By developing the bishop on the b4 square, Black pins the knight to the queen, making it difficult for White to play d5 and establish a pawn chain in the center. Moreover, the bishop on b4 can capture the knight on c3, leading to a trade of minor pieces and further hindering White's central control. Additionally, the bishop on b4 indirectly defends Black's pawn on d5 by obstructing White's pieces from attacking it. In sum, Bb4 is a flexible and strong move that adds pressure to White's position and prepares for future piece developments.

In the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric System, Smyslov Variation, e3 is a common move for White after Black's Bb4. The move e3 helps to control the d4 square, supporting White's central pawn and providing a retreat square for the bishop on d3. Moreover, e3 prepares for potential central pawn advances, such as d5 in the future. By playing e3, White also cramps Black's light-squared bishop, limiting its mobility and potential influence on the position. In sum, e3 is a strong move that consolidates White's position and prepares for potential future tactical opportunities.

After the moves 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3, Black typically plays O-O. This move helps to quickly activate the king and increases the safety of the monarch. By castling kingside, Black also prepares the rook on h8 to join in a potential attack on White's position. Additionally, castling kingside can help protect the pawn on f7 and prepare for future tactics in the center of the board. In sum, O-O is a solid move that helps fortify Black's position and prepare for active play.

After the moves 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O, White typically plays Bd3. The move allows White to develop their bishop to a strong and active diagonal and further support their control of the central squares. The bishop on d3 can also pressure Black's king position and support an eventual pawn push by White in the center. Additionally, the move Bd3 can serve as a precursor to a potential pawn storm on the kingside in the future. In sum, Bd3 is a strong developing move that contributes to White's overall strategic goals in the position.

In the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric System, Smyslov Variation, Black often follows up White's Bd3 move with the move d5. The move aims to exert pressure on the pawn on c4, potentially leading to a pawn trade that frees up Black's pieces and further weakens White's central control. Moreover, d5 helps Black to break open the center of the board and establish a pawn chain on the d-file. By playing d5, Black also activates their queen's bishop, which can exert pressure on White's position from the b7 or d6 squares. In sum, d5 is a strong move that helps to undermine White's position and establish a solid foothold on the board for Black.

After the moves 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Bd3 d5, White typically plays Nf3. By developing the knight to f3, White helps to control the center of the board and lays claim to the important e5 square. Nf3 also supports White's pawn on d4, strengthening the central control of the board. Additionally, Nf3 allows White to develop their remaining pieces and potentially target Black's position in the future with moves like Nd2 or Ng5. In sum, Nf3 is a strong development move that consolidates White's position and prepares for future tactical opportunities.

After the moves 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Bd3 d5 6. Nf3, Black's move c5 challenges White's pawn on d4 and looks to expand Black's control of the center. By playing c5, Black can open up lines for the queen's bishop and queen, putting pressure on White's king position. Additionally, the move c5 prepares for pawn pushes on either the d4 or c4-square, further disrupting White's control of the center of the board. In sum, c5 is a dynamic move that furthers Black's development and wrests control of the center from White.

In the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric System, Smyslov Variation, White frequently plays O-O after Black's c5 move. Castling kingside helps White to establish a solid defensive position for their king and guards against potential attacks from Black's pieces. Moreover, the move O-O helps to connect White's rooks and prepare for future rook lifts over the open d-file. Additionally, castling kingside helps to centralize White's king, potentially allowing for an efficient coordination of their minor pieces. In sum, O-O is a strong move that furthers White's development and prepares for future strategic opportunities.

After the moves 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Bd3 d5 6. Nf3 c5 7. O-O, Black often plays dxc4. This move helps to break open the center of the board and trade a pawn for a pawn. By playing dxc4, Black also frees up space for their pieces to be developed and potentially gain control of the newly opened d-file. Additionally, trading pawns on c4 helps to limit the effectiveness of White's bishop on b3, which can no longer control the c4 square. In sum, dxc4 is a strong tactical move that helps to establish Black's foothold on the board.

After Black's dxc4, White typically responds with Bxc4. This move helps to recapture the pawn on c4 and frees up space for White's pieces to be developed. Additionally, Bxc4 puts pressure on Black's light-squared bishop and threatens to capture on f7 in case Black castles kingside without proper preparation. Moreover, by developing the bishop to the c4 square, White has the option to push the pawn to d5 in the future, potentially restricting Black's pieces and limiting their activity. In sum, Bxc4 is a strong move that furthers White's development and puts pressure on Black's position.

In the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric System, Smyslov Variation, Black often plays Qe7 after White's capture on c4. The move Qe7 helps to centralize Black's queen and aligns it with Black's light-squared bishop, potentially putting pressure on White's position. Furthermore, the move Qe7 prepares for castling kingside and helping to develop the rook on f8. Additionally, Qe7 also allows Black to vacate the d8 square, potentially freeing it up for the queen's knight or rook. In sum, Qe7 is a strong move that furthers Black's development and prepares for future tactical opportunities.