Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Keres Variation

The opening move 1. d4 by White aims to control the center of the board and establish a strong pawn structure. This opening move prepares for future development of the pieces while also threatening Black's pawn at e6. By occupying the center with the pawn, White limits the scope of Black's knights and bishops. The move also opens up a diagonal for White's queen and bishop to potentially attack Black's king side.

Black's move Nf6 is a common response to White's opening move, as it aims to control the center by putting pressure on White's pawn at d4. Additionally, by developing the knight to the center, Black opens up options for other pieces to enter the game. The knight at f6 also protects Black's pawn at e4, which is important in future moves. Placing the knight on the king side of the board provides some defense to Black's king. Ultimately, the move aims for strong central control and piece development.

White's move c4 is aimed at establishing a strong pawn presence in the center while also freeing up White's pieces to enter the game. The pawn at c4 also has the potential to control important squares like d5 and e5, which can limit Black's ability to maneuver freely. Additionally, the pawn move controls the b5 square, discouraging Black's knight from moving there and potentially attacking the white pawn structure. By advancing the pawn, White aims for maximum central space control and efficient piece development.

In the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Keres Variation, Black's move e6 is a common move played to establish a pawn chain and control the d5 square. This move aims to solidify Black's position in the center while also preventing White's pawn from advancing to d5. Additionally, e6 prepares for Black's dark-squared bishop to enter the game and put pressure on White's pawn structure. This move also serves to protect against White's potential future bishop check on b5, by potentially blocking it with the pawn at c6. In sum, the move e6 aims to fortify Black's position and prepare for future piece development.

White's move Nc3 aims for central control and improved piece development. By developing the knight to c3, White prepares for future advancement of the d4 pawn to put pressure on Black's position. The knight at c3 also supports the pawn on d4, which can limit Black's options for counterplay. The knight also has the potential to move to b5 and put pressure on Black's pawn on c7 or a6, if Black decides to play that move in future. By developing the knight, White ensures more mobility for the pieces and aims for stronger control of the board.

Black's move Bb4 targets the knight on c3 and aims to weaken White's central pawn structure. Black puts pressure on the knight with the bishop and pins it against White's queen on d1. If White decides to move the knight, then that would break the defense of the d4 pawn. The bishop on b4 also supports Black's control of the center, by indirectly attacking White's pawn at c4. Additionally, playing Bb4 frees up Black's f8 bishop to get into the game, by potentially exchanging with White's knight on c3. In sum, Bb4 aims to put pressure on White's position and prepare for further piece development.

In the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Keres Variation, White's move f3 is a common response to Black's Bb4. This move aims to defend White's pawn at e4, which is under attack from Black's bishop. Additionally, the pawn at f3 controls the g4 square, preventing Black's knight from jumping to that square and putting pressure on White's position. The move also prepares for White's queen to enter the kingside, with the potential of attacking Black's weakened pawn structure. Finally, f3 prepares for White's kingside castling, which would provide greater safety to White's king and open up possibilities for further piece development. In sum, the move f3 aims to reinforce White's position and neutralize Black's tactical threats.

Black's move d5 aims to challenge White's control of the center and create counterplay. By advancing the pawn on d5, Black gains space in the center and puts pressure on White's pawn at e4. This move also opens up avenues for Black's dark-squared bishop and queen to enter the game, thereby increasing the possibility of launching attacks on White's position. Moreover, d5 prepares for Black's knight on f6 to potentially jump to d4, creating a strong outpost and potentially giving Black a positional advantage. In sum, the move d5 aims to create imbalances in the position and offer opportunities for Black to gain control of the board.

White's move a3 aims to restrict Black's light-squared bishop and prevent it from moving to b4 and repeating the pin. By playing a3, White ensures that the bishop will have to retreat to d7 or a6, which would lose the pressure it was exerting along the b4 to e1 diagonal. The move also secures White's position against potential knight jumps to b4, which could attack the c2 pawn. Additionally, a3 provides a safe haven for White's light-squared bishop if Black ever manages to exchange it. Finally, the move prepares for potential expansion on the queenside, with the potential of playing b4 in future. In sum, the move a3 aims for greater positional control and stability.

In the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Keres Variation, Black's move Bxc3+ aims to create some structural imbalances in White's position and eliminate an important defender of White's pawn structure. By playing this move, Black also takes advantage of the pin along the b4 to e1 diagonal, which makes it difficult for White to recapture with the b-pawn. Capturing with the d-pawn would potentially weaken the pawn structure and provide Black with a target. The move also develops the bishop to a more active diagonal, and could potentially create some threats along the c-file. In sum, the move Bxc3+ aims to provide more dynamic options for Black while also creating some potential weaknesses in White's position.

White's move bxc3 recaptures the bishop but creates a slight structural weakness in the pawn formation. The move also frees up the c3 square for White's knight in the future, which can be a strong central outpost. Additionally, by capturing with the pawn instead of the d-pawn, White maintains a solid pawn structure and avoids any potential weaknesses in the pawn chain. The move also avoids immobilizing the light-squared bishop on c1, which can provide potential mobility in future when it is developed. Finally, the move bxc3 aims to maintain a lead in development and a solid pawn structure, while creating moves and targets that can be exploited in the next moves.

Black's move c5 aims to challenge White's pawn structure and gain control of the center. By advancing the pawn, Black creates a pawn chain that can potentially attack White's pawns on d4 and e4 while also advancing its own position. The move also unblocks Black's light-squared bishop, which can now target key points in the center. Additionally, c5 prepares for Black's knight to potentially jump to c6 in the future, from where it can attack the d4 pawn or target the b5 square. Finally, the move aims to exploit the potential weaknesses created by White's earlier pawn capture on c3. In sum, c5 aims to create active and dynamic play for Black while also keeping the pressure on White's position.

In the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Keres Variation, White's move cxd5 aims to create some structural damage in Black's pawn chain. By taking with the d-pawn, White gains a central pawn majority which can potentially be used to advance in future and limit Black's mobility. Additionally, the move opens up White's pieces, particularly the queen, on the d-file, which can be used to exert pressure on Black's position. The move also prepares for future queenside expansion, with the potential of playing a4 and b4 in future. By capturing with the pawn, White avoids any potential weaknesses that could result from capturing with the knight, such as leaving the d5 square open for Black's pieces. In sum, the move cxd5 aims to gain greater positional control and create opportunities for future play.

Black's move Nxd5 aims to attack White's pawn on c3 and open up potential avenues for counterplay. By capturing the pawn with the knight, Black also activates their pieces in the center and gains control of the d4 square, which can potentially be used as an outpost. Additionally, the move creates imbalances in the pawn structure, which can create tactical opportunities in future. The move also frees up Black's c8 bishop, which can potentially be developed to put pressure on White's weakened pawn structure. Finally, Nxd5 can potentially force White's knight on c3 to retreat, which can limit White's options for piece development. In sum, the move Nxd5 aims to generate more dynamic play and create the potential for future tactical opportunities.

White's move dxc5 aims to gain material advantage and simplify the position. By capturing the knight with the pawn, White gains a pawn and also opens up the d-file for their rook, which can be used to put pressure on Black's position. Additionally, the move increases White's control over the center and also ensures that the c3 knight is no longer pinned against the queen. The move also avoids any tactical tricks that Black may have had with the knight on d5, which could have potentially attacked White's queen or put pressure on the d4 pawn. In sum, the move dxc5 aims for greater positional control and a simplified position that gives White an advantage.