Bogo-Indian Defense: Retreat Variation 8…c6 9. b3
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Statistics from Lichess
6,835 games: White 44.8% / Draw 9.9% / Black 45.3%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 4,5784,578 | ||
| 1,0801,080 | ||
| 578578 | ||
| 191191 | ||
| 7777 | ||
| 7676 | ||
| 6262 | ||
| 4848 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Nov 1, 2026
Engine evaluation
−0.01 The position is about equal
Best play: 9... b6 10. Nc3 Ba6 11. cxd5 cxd5 12. a4 Rc8 13. Qb2 Bb7 14. Rfc1
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. b3 (9 moves).
In 6,835 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 44.8%, Black 45.3% and 9.9% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 9…b6, in 67% of those games.
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How to answer 9. b3
The most played answer, 9…b6, also scores best for Black: 52.5%, with Black winning 47.5% and White 42.5% of 4,578 games. Of the main answers, 9…Ne4 scores lowest: 46.6%. Stockfish's first choice is also 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
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Bogo-Indian Defense: Retreat Variation (E11)”. Lichess data as of 1 Nov 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/bogo-indian-defense-retreat-variation-9