Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Modern Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
3,982 games: White 45.4% / Draw 7.6% / Black 47.0%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 2,1162,116 | ||
| 699699 | ||
| 595595 | ||
| 413413 | ||
| 124124 | ||
| 1717 | ||
| 1010 | ||
| 44 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 28, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.17 The position is about equal
Best play: 8. dxc5 Nc6 9. Nf3 Qa5+ 10. Bd2 Qxc5 11. e3 Nxd2 12. Nxd2 dxc4
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Modern Variation (ECO E37, Indian Defenses) is a variation of the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Noa Variation, reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 d5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 Ne4 7. Qc2 c5 (7 moves).
In 3,982 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 45.4%, Black 47.0% and 7.6% were drawn. White's most played move here is 8. dxc5, in 53% 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, Modern Variation
The most played answer, 8. dxc5, also scores best for White: 54.0%, with White winning 50.0% and Black 41.9% of 2,116 games. Of the main answers, 8. e3 scores lowest: 43.1%. Stockfish's first choice is also 8. 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, Modern Variation (E37)”. Lichess data as of 28 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/nimzo-indian-defense-classical-variation-modern-variation