Nimzo-Indian Defense
Overview
Nimzo-Indian Defense is a major root opening in the Indian Defenses family (ECO E20). It serves as the entry point for a wide subtree of named variations.
The Indian Defenses group covers Indian defences — hypermodern lines where Black challenges the centre with pieces rather than pawns.
Play reaches this position via 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4, after 6 plies of opening development.
10 distinct sub-variations branch from this opening; prominent examples include Classical Variation, Dilworth Gambit, Kmoch Variation, and others.
Below the direct variations, the full subtree contains 96 documented sub-variations.
Use the board to walk through every move, check how the position has scored on Lichess, or take it head-to-head against Stockfish.
- ECO code
- E20
- Group
- Indian Defenses (E)
- Plies
- 6
- Direct variations
- 10
- Total in subtree
- 96
This overview is generated automatically from the opening's metadata. Know this line well? Write a description — submissions are reviewed before publishing.
Statistics from Lichess
11,649,058 games · White 48.2% / Draw 5.5% / Black 46.3%
| Moves | Games | W / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| Qc2 | 2,400,441 | |
| Nf3 | 1,809,728 | |
| e3 | 1,744,076 | |
| Bg5 | 1,566,301 | |
| Bd2 | 1,531,779 | |
| a3 | 1,057,758 | |
| f3 | 606,306 | |
| Qb3 | 399,720 |
Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 01:31:04
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Variations (10)
Show all 96 sub-variations (full subtree)
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