Chess Openings Lab
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Nimzo-Indian Defense: Leningrad Variation

The Leningrad Variation of the Nimzo-Indian is 4.Bg5, a bishop move that pins the f6 knight against the queen. White develops fast and keeps options in the center, while Black hits d4 with ...c5 and often asks the bishop a question with ...h6.

Moves
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Bg5
ECO
E30
Engine
−0.19 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
1,380 games in our lichess sample
White scores
49.6%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Keep the pin on f6 with Bg5 and play e3, Bd3 and Nf3 to finish development quickly.
  • Push d5 after ...c5, as in the third engine line, to gain space and cramp the c8 bishop.
  • If Black plays ...h6, decide between Bh4, keeping the pin, and Bd2, which covers c3 against doubled pawns.
  • Recapture on d4 with a knight after ...cxd4, so the pieces stay active and the center stays open.

Black

  • Hit the center with 4...c5. It is the engine's top choice and challenges d4 before White castles.
  • Play ...h6 to ask the g5 bishop what it wants; the bishop pair matters less if it retreats to d2.
  • Consider ...Bxc3+ followed by ...d6 and ...e5 if White pushes d5 and closes the center.
  • Castle early with ...O-O so the pin on f6 does not tie your king to the center.

Plans and pawn structure

The g5 bishop gives White fast development but leaves the queenside light. Black usually answers with ...c5 and ...h6. If White pushes d5, the center closes and Black often trades on c3, then sets up ...d6 and ...e5 against White's doubled c-pawns. If White plays e3 and allows ...cxd4, the position opens and both sides race to castle and use the c-file. Watch the long diagonal: a later ...Qa5 can pin the c3 knight.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position −0.19: level. Its three top choices for Black:

  1. −0.19 4...c5 5.Nf3 h6 6.Bd2 cxd4 7.Nxd4
  2. −0.06 4...h6 5.Bd2 c5 6.a3 Bxc3 7.Bxc3
  3. +0.17 4...O-O 5.e3 c5 6.d5 Bxc3+ 7.bxc3

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

1,380 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 49.6%.

1200–159953.9%
1600–199949.3%
2000 and up46.1%

Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.

Where it goes next

  • Leningrad Variation, Benoni Defense4...h6 · rare

How to play against it

Black, play 4...c5 or 4...h6 and keep pressure on d4. Do not rush ...Bxc3+ without a follow-up; trade on c3 when it damages White's pawns and you can block the center. If White pushes d5, ...d6 and ...e5 keep your position compact.

Questions

What are the moves of the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Leningrad Variation?

The Nimzo-Indian Defense: Leningrad Variation starts 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Bg5. Its ECO code is E30.

Is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Leningrad Variation good for White?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position −0.19 at depth 20, which is level. In 1,380 lichess games from our sample, White scored 49.6%. A good pick for White players who want active pieces and a flexible center, while Black must be ready for both open and closed positions.

What is the main idea of the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Leningrad Variation?

White pins the f6 knight with Bg5 and keeps d5 as an option to gain space. Black strikes with ...c5 and ...h6, and often trades on c3 when the center closes.

What should Black play next?

The engine's first choice is c5, with h6 and O-O close behind. 4...c5 attacks d4 before White can castle and keeps the d5 push less attractive.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.