Caissa Codex
E38

Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Berlin Variation, Steiner Variation

Chess diagram: Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Berlin Variation, Steiner Variation after 5…Bxc3+

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Statistics from Lichess

2,213 games: White 50.0% / Draw 7.0% / Black 43.0%

The moves played next. Pick one to see it on the board.
Next moveGamesWhite / Draw / BlackW / D / B
2,1552,155
5757
11

Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 27, 2026

Engine evaluation

+0.97 White is better

Best play: 6. Qxc3 b6 7. cxb6 axb6 8. g3 O-O 9. Bg2 d5 10. b3 Bb7

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, Steiner Variation (ECO E38, Indian Defenses) is a variation of the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Berlin Variation, reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 c5 5. dxc5 Bxc3+ (5 moves).

In 2,213 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 50.0%, Black 43.0% and 7.0% were drawn. White's most played move here is 6. Qxc3, in 97% of those games.

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Other lines from the same position

Instead of 5. dxc5 Bxc3+, the position after Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Berlin Variation also goes on to:

Cite this page

Caissa Codex. “Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Berlin Variation, Steiner Variation (E38)”. Lichess data as of 27 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/nimzo-indian-defense-classical-variation-berlin-variation-steiner-variation

https://chesscodex.org/openings/nimzo-indian-defense-classical-variation-berlin-variation-steiner-variation