Bogo-Indian Defense: Retreat Variation 8…c6 9. Rd1
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Statistics from Lichess
13,553 games: White 47.1% / Draw 9.5% / Black 43.3%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 9,3679,367 | ||
| 1,6111,611 | ||
| 1,5191,519 | ||
| 231231 | ||
| 187187 | ||
| 186186 | ||
| 108108 | ||
| 107107 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 31, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.11 The position is about equal
Best play: 9... b6 10. Bf4 Bb7 11. Ne5 Nh5 12. Bd2 Nhf6 13. cxd5 cxd5 14. Nc6
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: Retreat Variation, reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 Bb4+ 4. Bd2 Be7 5. Bg2 d5 6. Nf3 Nbd7 7. O-O O-O 8. Qc2 c6 9. Rd1 (9 moves).
In 13,553 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 47.1%, Black 43.3% and 9.5% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 9…b6, in 69% of those games.
It continues into one named variation.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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How to answer 9. Rd1
9…a5 scores best for Black: 49.6%, with Black winning 45.1% and White 45.9% of 1,611 games. The most played, 9…b6, scores 48.9% in 9,367 games, and 9…Ne4 scores lowest: 46.0%. Stockfish's first choice is 9…b6.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: Black's wins plus half the draws, in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500. How to play against other popular openings
Variations (1)
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Bogo-Indian Defense: Retreat Variation (E11)”. Lichess data as of 31 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/bogo-indian-defense-retreat-variation-8