1. d2d4  1... g8f6  2. c2c4  2... e7e6  3. b1c3  3... f8b4 The Nimzo-Indian defense was quite popular in The Netherlands in the past couple of weeks. 4. a2a3  4... b4c3  5. b2c3  5... c7c5 The first mini-thought by Esipenko. Which line would be most unpleasant for his lesser experienced opponent? 6. e2e3  6... b8c6  7. f1d3  7... e8g8  8. g1e2  8... b7b6  9. e3e4  9... f6e8 A notable maneuver that aims to attack c4 whenever a chance is given, but also intends to meet the dangerous f2-f4 thrust with an identical f7-f5 block. 10. e1g1  10... c8a6  11. f2f4  11... f7f5 There it is. 12. e4f5  12... e6f5  13. d4c5 Better a damaged pawn structure, with diagonals for the bishops, than a blocked one! 13... b6c5  14. c1e3 