Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric System, Bernstein Defense

A solid and flexible chess opening for Black, focusing on controlling the center and creating counterplay against White's pawn structure.

The opening is a popular choice among strong players, as it offers Black a solid and flexible setup, while also creating opportunities for counterplay against White's pawn structure. It is named after the Yugoslav Grandmaster Svetozar Gligoric, who contributed significantly to its development and popularization.

In this opening, Black aims to control the center with their pawns and pieces, while also putting pressure on White's pawn on c4. The key move for Black is the pin of the knight on c3 with the bishop on b4, which can lead to doubled pawns for White if they decide to capture the bishop. Black's pawn break with c5 is another important aspect of this opening, as it challenges White's central pawn on d4 and can lead to an open position with active piece play.

White, on the other hand, tries to maintain their central pawn duo and develop their pieces harmoniously. The bishop on d3 and the knight on f3 are well-placed to support the center, while the castling on the kingside ensures the safety of the king.

The opening can lead to various pawn structures, depending on how both sides decide to capture and recapture in the center. This flexibility allows players to choose different plans and strategies, making the opening a rich and complex battleground.

Overall, the opening is a solid and reliable choice for Black, offering a good balance between solidity and counterplay. It has been played by many top players throughout history, including former World Champions Anatoly Karpov and Garry Kasparov, and remains a popular choice at all levels of play.