Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Berlin Variation 6. Nf3 c5
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Statistics from Lichess
94,625 games: White 46.5% / Draw 6.0% / Black 47.5%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 28,26028K | ||
| 19,68520K | ||
| 16,86917K | ||
| 13,76514K | ||
| 8,7848,784 | ||
| 6,2806,280 | ||
| 427427 | ||
| 112112 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 29, 2026
Engine evaluation
0.00 The position is about equal
Best play: 7. dxc5 Bxc5 8. cxd5 exd5 9. a3 Nc6 10. Be2 Bb6 11. O-O Qe7
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Berlin Variation (ECO E38, Indian Defenses) is a variation of the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 O-O 5. e3 d5 6. Nf3 c5 (6 moves).
In 94,625 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 46.5%, Black 47.5% and 6.0% were drawn. White's most played move here is 7. a3, in 30% of those games.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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How to answer 6…c5
7. dxc5 scores best for White: 52.3%, with White winning 48.9% and Black 44.3% of 14K games. The most played, 7. a3, scores 49.6% in 28K games, and 7. Bd2 scores lowest: 47.1%. Stockfish's first choice is also 7. dxc5.
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. “Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Berlin Variation (E38)”. Lichess data as of 29 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/nimzo-indian-defense-classical-variation-berlin-variation-2