1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.a3 Bxc3+ 5.bxc3 c5 6.f3 d5 7.cxd5 opens the Nimzo-Indian Defence: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4... 7.cxd5, ECO E25. Across rating levels it shows up in 41,243 recorded games — enough data to map exactly where it succeeds and where it stalls.
History and Notable Players
It arises from the Nimzo-Indian Defence: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4... 5.bxc3. On the White side, Sergey Volkov (45 games), Viktor Moskalenko (35 games), Alexei Shirov (21 games) top the database. Notable Black exponents: Ivan Farago (14 games), Igor Naumkin (9 games), Wolfgang Unzicker (7 games).
Performance Across Rating Levels
Popularity and results vary sharply by rating level. The 1200 bracket has 39 games (0.00% of all games at that level); White wins 38.5%, Black 53.8%, 7.7% are drawn. Move up to 1800 Elo and the share shifts to 0.00%, with White winning 47.8% versus Black's 47%. Among 2500-rated players the line appears in 0.03% of games and draws spike to 9%, indicating tight preparation. White's score improves by 9.4pp from the 1200 bracket to the 2500 bracket — the line rewards preparation.
Move Diversity and Theory Depth
What players actually play after the opening moves depends heavily on rating. At 1200 Elo, the top reply is exd5, played 46.2% of the time. There are 4 other moves seeing meaningful share, and 89.7% of games stick to established theory. Entropy: 1.80. By 2500, Nxd5 dominates at 64.6% of replies; only 2 viable alternatives remain and 99.7% of moves are theory. Entropy drops to 1.00. The narrowing is significant — strong players consolidate around a small set of best moves, while amateurs scatter across many plausible-looking options.
Common Mistakes
- Neglecting development — Extra pawn moves in the opening are tempting, especially when you "know the moves". Developing a piece each turn is the simple correction.
- Letting White own the centre — Hypermodern openings concede central space on purpose, but only if you strike back in time. Delay the counter-blow and you end up squeezed.
Practice on Chessiverse
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