Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Keres Defense
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Statistics from Lichess
51,153 games: White 45.8% / Draw 7.9% / Black 46.3%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 23,49423K | ||
| 14,73715K | ||
| 8,6378,637 | ||
| 1,5481,548 | ||
| 508508 | ||
| 479479 | ||
| 445445 | ||
| 437437 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 29, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.05 The position is about equal
Best play: 7. Bg5 Bb7 8. e3 d6 9. f3 Nbd7 10. Bd3 c5 11. Ne2 Rc8
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Keres Defense (ECO E32, 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. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 b6 (6 moves).
In 51,153 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 45.8%, Black 46.3% and 7.9% were drawn. White's most played move here is 7. Bg5, in 46% 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, Keres Defense
The most played answer, 7. Bg5, also scores best for White: 51.8%, with White winning 47.5% and Black 43.9% of 23K games. Of the main answers, 7. f3 scores lowest: 46.0%. Stockfish's first choice is also 7. Bg5.
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, Keres Defense (E32)”. Lichess data as of 29 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/nimzo-indian-defense-classical-variation-keres-defense