The Normal Variation, Gligoric System, Smyslov Variation is a variation of the Nimzo-Indian Defense, catalogued as ECO E54. The line runs 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Bd3 d5 6. Nf3 c5 7. O-O dxc4 8. Bxc4 Qe7, reaching the position shown below after 16 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on d4, and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at three minor pieces each. It is White to move after eight moves. Both kings have castled kingside, so play tends to shift to the centre and the opposite flank.
On the Nimzo-Indian Defense generally: One of the most respected defenses to 1.d4. Black pins the knight and fights for central control.
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The Normal Variation, Gligoric System, Smyslov Variation goes 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Bd3 d5 6. Nf3 c5 7. O-O dxc4 8. Bxc4 Qe7. It is a variation of the Nimzo-Indian Defense and is catalogued as ECO E54.
The Normal Variation, Gligoric System, Smyslov Variation is ECO E54. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Nimzo-Indian Defense.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Bd3 d5 6. Nf3 c5 7. O-O dxc4 8. Bxc4 Qe7 at +0.46 at depth 18, which is a slight pull for White, within normal opening margins. Engine evaluation is only a starting point — at club level the practical value of a line is mostly about whether you know its plans better than your opponent does.
White holds the centre with pawns on d4, and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at three minor pieces each. It is White to move. Both kings have castled kingside, so play tends to shift to the centre and the opposite flank.