Lesson
White to move. Main line: 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Bb7 5. Bg2 Be7 6. O-O O-O
White’s 3.Nf3 prevents the Nimzo-Indian pin because the b1-knight has not gone to c3. Black responds with ...b6 and ...Bb7, placing the bishop on the long diagonal where it pressures e4 and supports central restraint.
Both sides fianchetto or develop toward the center, then castle before committing more pawns. White often seeks d5 or e4; Black chooses between ...d5 and ...c5 depending on which central structure White permits.
This opening teaches control without occupation. A bishop on b7 and knight on f6 can influence central squares from a distance, but Black still needs a pawn break to avoid passivity. White’s extra space is meaningful only if it can be converted into a stable center.