Indian Defense: Dzindzi-Indian Defense
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Statistics from Lichess
46,987 games: White 49.5% / Draw 6.4% / Black 44.2%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 22,43622K | ||
| 12,26212K | ||
| 4,5074,507 | ||
| 2,9102,910 | ||
| 2,7062,706 | ||
| 833833 | ||
| 444444 | ||
| 216216 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 31, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.38 White is slightly better
Best play: 4. Nc3 d5 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bg5 Be7 7. e3 h6 8. Bh4 O-O
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Indian Defense: Dzindzi-Indian Defense (ECO E10, Indian Defenses) is a variation of the Indian Defense: Anti-Nimzo-Indian, reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 a6 (3 moves).
In 46,987 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 49.5%, Black 44.2% and 6.4% were drawn. White's most played move here is 4. Nc3, in 48% 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 Indian Defense: Dzindzi-Indian Defense
4. e3 scores best for White: 53.5%, with White winning 50.1% and Black 43.1% of 2,910 games. The most played, 4. Nc3, scores 53.2% in 22K games, and 4. a3 scores lowest: 49.9%. Stockfish's first choice is 4. 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. “Indian Defense: Dzindzi-Indian Defense (E10)”. Lichess data as of 31 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/indian-defense-dzindzi-indian-defense