Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Noa Variation 5. cxd5 exd5
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Statistics from Lichess
99,226 games: White 51.5% / Draw 6.7% / Black 41.8%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 63,17763K | ||
| 16,41216K | ||
| 8,1588,158 | ||
| 4,2114,211 | ||
| 3,0103,010 | ||
| 2,6042,604 | ||
| 497497 | ||
| 465465 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 29, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.14 The position is about equal
Best play: 6. Bf4 c5 7. dxc5 Qa5 8. e3 Nc6 9. Nf3 Bf5 10. Bd3 Bxc3+
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 E35, 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. cxd5 exd5 (5 moves).
In 99,226 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 51.5%, Black 41.8% and 6.7% were drawn. White's most played move here is 6. Bg5, in 64% of those games.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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How to answer 5…exd5
The most played answer, 6. Bg5, also scores best for White: 56.3%, with White winning 52.9% and Black 40.2% of 63K games. Of the main answers, 6. a3 scores lowest: 49.8%. Stockfish's first choice is 6. Bf4.
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, Noa Variation (E35)”. Lichess data as of 29 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/nimzo-indian-defense-classical-variation-noa-variation-3