Chess Openings Lab
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Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation

The Sämisch Variation of the Nimzo-Indian is 4.a3, forcing Black to decide about the b4 bishop right away. White accepts doubled c-pawns to win the bishop pair and build a center with f3 and e4, while Black blocks and attacks the c4 pawn.

Moves
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.a3
ECO
E24, E25, E26, E27, E28, E29
Engine
−0.16 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
1,022 games in our lichess sample
White scores
50.1%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • After 4...Bxc3+ 5.bxc3, play f3 and e4 to build a big center behind the doubled pawns.
  • Use Qc2 to cover e4 and keep the queen near the center for the e4 push.
  • Use the bishop pair; open the position with e4 and later f4 or d5 if Black's knights lack squares.
  • Punish a retreat like ...Be7 or ...Bf8 with e4 at once; Black has lost two tempi.

Black

  • Take with 4...Bxc3+, the engine's clear first choice; retreating the bishop loses time.
  • Play ...b6 and ...Bb7 or ...Ba6 to fight for e4 and aim at the weak c4 pawn.
  • Use ...c5 and later ...Nc6 and ...Na5 to pile up on c4 and fix the doubled pawns.
  • Consider ...d6 and ...e5 to block the center so White's bishops have fewer open lines.

Plans and pawn structure

After the trade on c3, White has the bishop pair, doubled c-pawns and a plan of f3 and e4. Black wants to block the center and attack the c4 pawn, which cannot be defended by another pawn. Typical Black moves are ...b6, ...Ba6, ...c5 and ...Nc6-a5. White tries to open the kingside with e4, f4 and sometimes f5 before the c4 pawn falls. The race between White's center and Black's pressure on c4 decides most games.

Where the engine's main line heads: White has doubled c-pawns. White's c-pawns are doubled, usually after ...Bxc3 bxc3. In return White keeps the bishop pair and a solid center.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position −0.16: level. Its three top choices for Black:

  1. −0.16 4...Bxc3+ 5.bxc3 b6 6.Qc2 Bb7 7.f3
  2. +1.10 4...Be7 5.e4 d6 6.Bd3 e5 7.d5
  3. +1.75 4...Bf8 5.e4 d5 6.cxd5 exd5 7.e5

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

1,022 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 50.1%.

1200–159946.8%
1600–199949.7%
2000 and up51.5%

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

Where it goes next

  • Sämisch Variation, O'Kelly Variation4...Bxc3+ · rare

How to play against it

Black, trade on c3 at once with 4...Bxc3+. Retreating with ...Be7 or ...Bf8 lets White play e4 for free. After bxc3, play against c4 with ...b6, ...Ba6 and ...c5. Do not open the center early, because the bishop pair loves open lines.

Other lines with this name

The lichess opening list also files these lines under the same name, though they reach a different position: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.f3 d5 5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.bxc3 c5 7.cxd5; 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.a3 Bxc3+ 5.bxc3 c5 6.e3; 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.a3 Bxc3+ 5.bxc3 O-O.

Questions

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

The Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation starts 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.a3. Its ECO code is E24, E25, E26, E27, E28, E29.

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

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position −0.16 at depth 20, which is level. In 1,022 lichess games from our sample, White scored 50.1%. A sharp fighting choice for White players who like the bishop pair and attacking with a big center, and Black must play against c4 accurately.

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

White gives Black the chance to double the c-pawns in return for the bishop pair and a strong center with f3 and e4. Black trades on c3 and then attacks the weak c4 pawn.

What should Black play next?

The engine's first choice is Bxc3+, with Be7 and Bf8 close behind. 4...Bxc3+ is the natural reply, since a retreat would hand White time for e4.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.