The Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Bernstein Defense reaches a named position after 11 moves: 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Bd3 d5 6. a3 Bxc3+ 7. bxc3 dxc4 8. Bxc4 c5 9. Nf3 Nc6 10. O-O Qc7 11. Qc2
In practical games, this line matters because the early pawn and piece choices decide which middlegame plans are natural. Use the board above to learn the move order, then complete Practice without hints before adding the opening to your regular queue.
If this exact branch does not appear in your games, study the related lines below. Openings often transpose, and recognizing the family pattern is more useful than memorizing one narrow sequence.
The idea behind this line
Black pins the c3 knight and fights for e4 without occupying the center with pawns.
What to look for
- Pressure c3 and e4.
- Use ...d5 or ...c5 according to White's setup.
- Trade on c3 only when the structure gives a target.
Position details
This line branches from Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Botvinnik System with dxc4.
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