Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Berlin Variation, Macieja System
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Statistics from Lichess
2,673 games: White 49.1% / Draw 8.3% / Black 42.6%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 1,1461,146 | ||
| 669669 | ||
| 481481 | ||
| 226226 | ||
| 7979 | ||
| 6666 | ||
| 22 | ||
| 11 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 25, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.41 White is slightly better
Best play: 8. Bf4 Bb7 9. Rd1 Nh5 10. Bg5 Be7 11. h4 Nc6 12. Qd2 Nf6
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, Macieja System (ECO E39, Indian Defenses) is a variation of the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Berlin Variation, Pirc Variation, reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 c5 5. dxc5 O-O 6. a3 Bxc5 7. Nf3 b6 (7 moves).
In 2,673 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 49.1%, Black 42.6% and 8.3% were drawn. White's most played move here is 8. Bg5, in 43% 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 Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Berlin Variation, Macieja System
8. Bf4 scores best for White: 58.7%, with White winning 54.1% and Black 36.6% of 669 games. The most played, 8. Bg5, scores 52.6% in 1,146 games, and 8. e3 scores lowest: 44.0%. Stockfish's first choice is also 8. Bf4.
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, Macieja System (E39)”. Lichess data as of 25 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/nimzo-indian-defense-classical-variation-berlin-variation-macieja-system