Tree path 4 levels Nimzo-Indian Defense › Rubinstein System › Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation › Nimzo-Indian Defense
- Chess Codex
- Nimzo-Indian Defense E20
- Rubinstein System E40
- Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation E46
- Nimzo-Indian Defense E50 you are here
Nimzo-Indian Defense
Overview
Nimzo-Indian Defense is a named branch in the Indian Defenses group of chess theory, classified under ECO E50.
The Indian Defenses group covers Indian defences — hypermodern lines where Black challenges the centre with pieces rather than pawns.
It begins with 9 plies and takes 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Nf3 to reach the canonical position.
In the opening tree, this line branches off from Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, part of the broader Nimzo-Indian Defense system.
It continues primarily into one named line, Normal Variation, Ragozin Variation.
Together the deeper variations number 2 across the full subtree.
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
- E50
- Group
- Indian Defenses (E)
- Plies
- 9
- Direct variations
- 1
- Total in subtree
- 2
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
237,521 games · White 46.8% / Draw 5.3% / Black 47.9%
| Moves | Games | W / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| d5 | 83,332 | |
| c5 | 56,724 | |
| b6 | 50,180 | |
| Ne4 | 12,123 | |
| d6 | 11,272 | |
| Bxc3+ | 9,252 | |
| Re8 | 3,905 | |
| c6 | 3,343 |
Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 02:10:34
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