Nimzo-Indian Defense, Romanishin Variation

The Romanishin Variation begins with g3, meaning White's g-pawn advances one square. White prepares a fianchetto: the king's bishop will develop to g2 and look along a long diagonal toward the center and queenside. The e-pawn remains on its original square for now, so White keeps several central choices.

That flexibility has a cost. g3 does not solve the pin on the c3-knight, which cannot move without opening the b4-bishop's diagonal toward the king, and it does not occupy the center. Black can strike with the c- or d-pawn and still decide whether to exchange the bishop for the knight. White must combine the fianchetto with quick development.

The same position may arise if White first develops the king's knight to f3 and plays g3 later. This connects the Romanishin with the Three Knights Variation. Reaching the same position by another order is called a transposition; from there, the structure and pieces matter more than the route's name.