The Sämisch Variation is a variation of the Nimzo-Indian Defense, catalogued as ECO E29. The line runs 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 c5 5. Bd3 Nc6 6. a3 Bxc3+ 7. bxc3 O-O, reaching the position shown below after 14 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 two minor pieces each. It is White to move after seven moves. Black has castled while White’s king is still uncommitted; White has doubled pawns on the c-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.
You can play through this variation move by move in your browser — Learn mode walks the line with an explanation at each step, and Drill mode replays it from memory so you find out whether you actually know it. No account is required.
See all 81 Nimzo-Indian Defense variations →
The Sämisch Variation goes 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 c5 5. Bd3 Nc6 6. a3 Bxc3+ 7. bxc3 O-O. It is a variation of the Nimzo-Indian Defense and is catalogued as ECO E29.
The Sämisch Variation is ECO E29. 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 c5 5. Bd3 Nc6 6. a3 Bxc3+ 7. bxc3 O-O at +0.30 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 two minor pieces each. It is White to move. Black has castled while White’s king is still uncommitted; White has doubled pawns on the c-file; White’s a-file pawn is isolated; White has the bishop pair.