Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Noa Variation

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Overview

Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Noa Variation is a named branch in the Indian Defenses group of chess theory, classified under ECO E34.

The Indian Defenses group covers Indian defences — hypermodern lines where Black challenges the centre with pieces rather than pawns.

Play reaches this position via 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 d5, after 8 plies of opening development.

In the opening tree, this line branches off from Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, part of the broader Nimzo-Indian Defense system.

3 named variations grow from this line, including Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Belyavsky Gambit, Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Noa Variation, Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Noa Variation.

In total, the branch covers 9 sub-variations across all depths.

Use the board to walk through every move, check how the position has scored on Lichess, or take it head-to-head against Stockfish.

ECO code: E34
Group: Indian Defenses (E)
Plies: 8
Parent: Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation
Direct variations: 3
Total in subtree: 9

This overview is generated automatically from the opening's metadata. Know this line well? Write a description — submissions are reviewed before publishing.

Statistics from Lichess

557,609 games · White 50.4% / Draw 6.1% / Black 43.5%

Moves	Games	W / D / B
cxd5	133,982
e3	108,471
Bg5	106,027
a3	100,543
Nf3	80,146
c5	9,356
Bd2	6,105
Bf4	5,371

Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 01:57:07

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Variations (3)

Show all 9 sub-variations (full subtree)

Overview

Statistics from Lichess

Variations (3)

Related variations at the same level