The Sämisch Variation is a variation of the Nimzo-Indian Defense, catalogued as ECO E25. The line runs 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. f3 d5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 c5 7. cxd5, reaching the position shown below after 13 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on d4 and d5, and two pawn captures are available, so the structure is still fluid. Development is level at one minor pieces each, and White is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move after seven moves. White has doubled pawns on the d-file; White’s a-file pawn is isolated; White has the bishop pair.
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 Sämisch Variation goes 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. f3 d5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 c5 7. cxd5. It is a variation of the Nimzo-Indian Defense and is catalogued as ECO E25.
The Sämisch Variation is ECO E25. 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. f3 d5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 c5 7. cxd5 at -0.10 at depth 18, which is balanced. 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 d5, and two pawn captures are available, so the structure is still fluid. Development is level at one minor pieces each, and White is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move. White has doubled pawns on the d-file; White’s a-file pawn is isolated; White has the bishop pair.