Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation

About this variation

White plays a3 to force the bishop to take on c3, accepting doubled pawns for the bishop pair and a strong center.

The Sämisch Variation is 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. a3. White asks the bishop to decide at once, and after 4...Bxc3+ 5. bxc3 White has doubled c-pawns but also the bishop pair and a strong center. White's plan is usually f3 and e4, building a big pawn center and aiming for a kingside attack.

Black's main ideas are to blockade the center and attack the weak c4 pawn. Typical moves include ...c5, ...Nc6, ...b6 and ...Ba6, with ...Na5 to pile up on c4. Black may also play ...d5 to fix White's pawns, or ...d6 and ...e5 to close the center and leave White's bishops with less scope.

White's plans focus on the center and the kingside. With f3 and e4, White prepares e5 to drive away the knight on f6 or f4-f5 to attack. White's dark-squared bishop can become very strong if the position opens, and White sometimes gives up the c4 pawn to speed up the attack.

The Sämisch is an uncompromising line that leads to unbalanced positions: White has an attack and the bishop pair, and Black has a better structure and targets. Neither side can afford to play passively, so understanding the plans and timing is important.

The Sämisch suits White players who like clear, aggressive plans and are willing to accept long-term weaknesses for the initiative. Black players who study the main plan of blockading the center and attacking c4 will usually reach positions with good chances.

Black should avoid opening the position too early, since that helps White's bishops. White should be careful not to lose the c4 pawn without getting the attack in return, and should keep the pieces aimed at the kingside.

It is one of the main lines of the Nimzo-Indian Defense.