Tree path 2 levels Nimzo-Indian Defense › Classical Variation
- Chess Codex
- Nimzo-Indian Defense E20
- Classical Variation E32 you are here
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation
Overview
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation is a named branch in the Indian Defenses group of chess theory, classified under ECO E32.
The Indian Defenses group covers Indian defences — hypermodern lines where Black challenges the centre with pieces rather than pawns.
It is reached after 7 plies of play, with the move sequence 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2.
It branches immediately from Nimzo-Indian Defense in the opening tree.
6 distinct sub-variations branch from this opening; prominent examples include Berlin Variation, Berlin Variation, Keres Defense, and others.
In total, the branch covers 19 sub-variations across all depths.
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
- E32
- Group
- Indian Defenses (E)
- Plies
- 7
- Parent
- Nimzo-Indian Defense
- Direct variations
- 6
- Total in subtree
- 19
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
2,401,093 games · White 49.2% / Draw 6.1% / Black 44.6%
| Moves | Games | W / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| O-O | 839,530 | |
| c5 | 532,591 | |
| d5 | 470,066 | |
| b6 | 259,590 | |
| Nc6 | 118,903 | |
| Bxc3+ | 104,320 | |
| d6 | 30,312 | |
| h6 | 17,582 |
Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 01:44:08
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Variations (6)
Show all 19 sub-variations (full subtree)
- E38 Berlin Variation 8-ply
- E38 Berlin Variation 12-ply
- E32 Keres Defense 12-ply
- E34 Noa Variation 8-ply
- E32 Vitolins-Adorjan Gambit 12-ply
- E33 Zurich Variation 8-ply
- E34 Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Belyavsky Gambit 14-ply
- E39 Pirc Variation 10-ply
- E38 Steiner Variation 10-ply
- E33 Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Milner-Barry Variation 10-ply
- E35 Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Noa Variation 10-ply
- E36 Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Noa Variation 9-ply
- E39 Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Berlin Variation, Macieja System 14-ply
- E36 Botvinnik Variation 12-ply
- E36 Main Line 12-ply
- E36 Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Romanishin Gambit 12-ply
- E37 Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Noa Variation 13-ply
- E37 Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Modern Variation 14-ply
- E37 San Remo Variation 16-ply