4.Bd2 was played by some pretty good players over the years (including future World Champions).  There certainly isn't anything wrong with it, though it's pretty passive.   

If you want solid but unambitious equality right away, you could always play 4...Bxc3 5.Bxc3 Ne4.  Now White won't get the two bishops (you can always play Nxc3 when you need to) and the game is even (though maybe a tad dull).  There is no refutation of 4.Bd2.

MNb, thanks for the reply. I like your suggestion of 4 ... O-O, 5 ... b6.

My friend, who knows little about the Nimzo, keeps playing this early Bd2 move against me. It seems a little premature to me, but whenever I try to find a way to take advantage of it, I find that we end up transposing into a different variation. I wish more books covered this move.

Thanks again!


Socrates

Greetings! I have a quick question on the Nimzo.

Is there anything wrong with 4 Bd2? I know that there are lots of transpositional possibilities, but is there anything wrong with playing the bishop here on this move? There's not much literature I can find regarding this move (maybe I'm not looking hard enough?), let alone a refutation, but I'd like all of your input.

Thanks in advance.


Socrates