1.d4
Nf6
2.c4
e6
3.Nf3
d5
4.Nc3
Bb4
The Ragozin Defense can be reached from a number of openings including The Queen's Gambit, Nimzo-Indian and Panov Attack, It has never been considered a reliable path to equality, but has a fighting character which has attracted such advocates as Mikhail Tal. The variation earned its name in the 1934 Soviet Championship and in many subsequent events where Ragozin defended the Black side. The opening shares many idea with the Nimzo-Indian. Black will often give up the bishop at b4 for the Knight at c3, but the benefit of the position of the bishop is that the Knight is pinned , so that White cannot take control of the e4-square.