Caissa Codex
E33

Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Milner-Barry Variation

Chess diagram: Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Milner-Barry Variation after 5…d6

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Statistics from Lichess

48,254 games: White 44.9% / Draw 7.2% / Black 47.9%

The moves played next. Pick one to see it on the board.
Next moveGamesWhite / Draw / BlackW / D / B
15,21815K
11,43111K
8,1768,176
7,0037,003
3,9863,986
1,8581,858
390390
7070

Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 25, 2026

Engine evaluation

+0.54 White is slightly better

Best play: 6. Bd2 O-O 7. a3 Bxc3 8. Bxc3 Re8 9. e3 e5 10. dxe5 dxe5

Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.

Overview

Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Milner-Barry Variation (ECO E33, Indian Defenses) is a variation of the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Zurich Variation, reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 Nc6 5. Nf3 d6 (5 moves).

In 48,254 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 44.9%, Black 47.9% and 7.2% were drawn. White's most played move here is 6. Bg5, in 32% of those games.

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How to play against the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Milner-Barry Variation

6. Bd2 scores best for White: 53.3%, with White winning 48.8% and Black 42.3% of 7,003 games. The most played, 6. Bg5, scores 46.9% in 15K games, and 6. e3 scores lowest: 45.1%. Stockfish's first choice is also 6. Bd2.

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, Milner-Barry Variation (E33)”. Lichess data as of 25 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/nimzo-indian-defense-classical-variation-milner-barry-variation

https://chesscodex.org/openings/nimzo-indian-defense-classical-variation-milner-barry-variation