Huebner System: A Tough Nut to Crack

The Huebner blockading variation of the Nimzo Indian defense is so feared by many Chess grandmasters that they will play White systems that avoid it. This is the ultimate compliment to arguably the best defense in chess to a queen pawn opening.

Roman Dzindzichashvili, in his excellent video on this opening largely due to the efforts of German GM Robert Huebner, points out subtleties like what White should do if Black captures the Knight at c3 too early with his Bishop. If the White Knight has not already developed to f3 prior to this capture, then Ne2 gives White the option of not blocking the f pawn and allowing its advance which will very likely turn the c1 Bishop into a menace.



In the diagrammed position White, also, wants to play the pawn lever f4, but it will require much preparation with Black taking all measures to keep the character of the position closed while eyeing the weak c4 pawn.