Chess Openings Lab
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Nimzo-Indian Defense: Spielmann Variation

The Spielmann Variation of the Nimzo-Indian is 4.Qb3, a queen move that attacks the b4 bishop and avoids doubled pawns. White wants to recapture on c3 with the queen, while Black uses the time to hit d4 with ...c5 and develop with ...Nc6.

Moves
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Qb3
ECO
E22
Engine
−0.07 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
325 games in our lichess sample
White scores
47.2%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Recapture on c3 with the queen after a3 and ...Bxc3+, as in the third engine line, keeping a healthy pawn structure.
  • Develop with Nf3 and e3, then Bd3 and castling, keeping the queen on b3 to watch b7.
  • If Black plays ...c5, consider dxc5 and use the queen to defend the c5 pawn for a while.
  • Answer ...Ne4 with Bd2, so the c3 knight stays protected and the trade on d2 costs you nothing.

Black

  • Play 4...c5, the engine's first choice; it defends the bishop and attacks d4 at the same time.
  • Develop with ...Nc6 and look at ...Ne4 to hit the c3 knight and the f2 pawn.
  • Retreat with ...Ba5 to keep the pin if White plays a3, then strike in the center.
  • Remember the queen on b3 is a target; ...Nc6-a5 or ...Na5 can gain time against it.

Plans and pawn structure

White moves the queen early to avoid bxc3, so Black is ahead in development. Black's plan is ...c5, ...Nc6 and ...Ne4 to use that lead before White castles. White wants to finish with Nf3, e3, Bd3 and O-O and then use the bishop pair or a healthy structure. If White wins the c5 pawn with dxc5, Black often gets it back with active pieces. The queen on b3 can become a target for knights.

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 −0.07: level. Its three top choices for Black:

  1. −0.07 4...c5 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.dxc5 Ne4 7.Bd2
  2. +0.15 4...Ba5 5.e3 c5 6.Nf3 cxd4 7.exd4
  3. +0.16 4...Nc6 5.e3 O-O 6.a3 Bxc3+ 7.Qxc3

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

325 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 47.2%.

1200–159944.3%
1600–199953.7%
2000 and up41.7%

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

Where it goes next

  • Spielmann Variation, Stahlberg Variation4...c5 · rare

How to play against it

Black, play 4...c5 and develop with ...Nc6. Do not retreat the bishop without need; it pins the c3 knight and slows White. Look for ...Ne4 when the c3 knight is undefended, and use moves that hit the b3 queen to gain time.

Questions

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

The Nimzo-Indian Defense: Spielmann Variation starts 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Qb3. Its ECO code is E22.

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

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position −0.07 at depth 20, which is level. In 325 lichess games from our sample, White scored 47.2%. A rare line for White players who hate doubled pawns, and Black can gain quick development by playing actively.

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

White moves the queen to b3 so a trade on c3 can be met by Qxc3 with no doubled pawns. Black uses the time spent on the queen to strike with ...c5 and develop quickly.

What should Black play next?

The engine's first choice is c5, with Ba5 and Nc6 close behind. 4...c5 defends the b4 bishop and attacks d4 in a single move.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.