Bogo-Indian Defense: Retreat Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
124,412 games: White 50.3% / Draw 6.3% / Black 43.4%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 67,31967K | ||
| 39,11339K | ||
| 7,1737,173 | ||
| 2,5932,593 | ||
| 2,3422,342 | ||
| 2,0092,009 | ||
| 1,9181,918 | ||
| 605605 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 27, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.22 The position is about equal
Best play: 5. Nc3 d5 6. Bf4 O-O 7. e3 Nbd7 8. c5 Nh5 9. Bd3 Nxf4
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Bogo-Indian Defense: Retreat Variation (ECO E11, Indian Defenses) is a variation of the Bogo-Indian Defense, reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Bb4+ 4. Bd2 Be7 (4 moves).
In 124,412 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 50.3%, Black 43.4% and 6.3% were drawn. White's most played move here is 5. Nc3, in 54% of those games.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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How to play against the Bogo-Indian Defense: Retreat Variation
The most played answer, 5. Nc3, also scores best for White: 54.0%, with White winning 50.9% and Black 43.0% of 67K games. Of the main answers, 5. e3 scores lowest: 50.3%. Stockfish's first choice is also 5. Nc3.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: White's wins plus half the draws, in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500. How to play against other popular openings
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Bogo-Indian Defense: Retreat Variation (E11)”. Lichess data as of 27 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/bogo-indian-defense-retreat-variation