The Nimzo-Indian Defence continues to be one of the most important chess openings, both at club level and with top players. In recent years it has undergone a number of significant changes and it’s high time for a thorough look at the current state of affairs.

Top grandmaster Ivan Sokolov is the perfect authority to do so.

The Strategic Nimzo-Indian: A Complete Guide to the Rubinstein Variation is the first of a two-part series. In this ground-breaking and clearly structured first volume, Sokolov investigates all lines after the move 4.e3. Volume 2 will be about 4.a3, the Sämisch Variation.

Inspired by great masters like Mikhail Botvinnik, Ivan Sokolov has played the Rubinstein Variation all his life, and he has even beaten World Champion Garry Kasparov with it.

Although play can become very sharp, the Nimzo-Indian requires a profound positional understanding. Ivan Sokolov does not simply give variations, but provides clear explanations of the structures and plans in the various branches, and presents new ideas and resources for both Black and White.

Each chapter ends with a summary containing key strategic and tactical advice.

Content:
009 Foreword

011 PART I - 4.e3 Various

131 PART II - 4...0-0 Minor Lines

221 PART III - The Main Line 4...0-0 5.Bd3 d5 6.Nf3

315 PART IV - 4...0-0 5.Bd3 d5 6.Nf3 c5 7.0-0 - The Immediate 7...dxc4 8.Bxc4

401 Index of Variations

405 Index of Players

411 Bibliography