Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Noa Variation 4…d5 5. a3
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Statistics from Lichess
100,528 games: White 49.6% / Draw 6.5% / Black 43.9%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 84,72085K | ||
| 12,36812K | ||
| 1,8461,846 | ||
| 1,4271,427 | ||
| 5656 | ||
| 3535 | ||
| 1515 | ||
| 1212 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 29, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.12 The position is about equal
Best play: 5... Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 O-O 7. Bg5 dxc4 8. Qxc4 b6 9. Rd1 Ba6 10. Qa4
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Noa Variation (ECO E36, 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 (5 moves).
In 100,528 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 49.6%, Black 43.9% and 6.5% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 5…Bxc3+, in 84% of those games.
It branches into 3 named variations; the most played are Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Noa Variation, Main Line and Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Noa Variation, Botvinnik Variation. In all, 6 named lines continue from it.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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How to answer 5. a3
The most played answer, 5…Bxc3+, also scores best for Black: 48.0%, with Black winning 44.6% and White 48.7% of 85K games. Of the main answers, 5…Be7 scores lowest: 45.3%. Stockfish's first choice is also 5…Bxc3+.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: Black's wins plus half the draws, in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500. How to play against other popular openings
Variations (3)
All 6 named lines that continue from here
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Noa Variation (E36)”. Lichess data as of 29 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/nimzo-indian-defense-classical-variation-noa-variation-2