Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Noa Variation 6…Ne4 7. Qc2
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Statistics from Lichess
17,561 games: White 50.2% / Draw 6.0% / Black 43.8%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 5,2965,296 | ||
| Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Modern Variation | 3,6273,627 | |
| 3,0203,020 | ||
| 2,0652,065 | ||
| 961961 | ||
| 710710 | ||
| 503503 | ||
| 485485 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 30, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.19 The position is about equal
Best play: 7... c5 8. dxc5 Nc6 9. Nf3 Qa5+ 10. Bd2 Qxc5 11. e3 Nxd2 12. Nxd2
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 E37, Indian Defenses) is a variation of the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Noa Variation, Main Line, reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 d5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 Ne4 7. Qc2 (7 moves).
In 17,561 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 50.2%, Black 43.8% and 6.0% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 7…O-O, in 30% of those games.
It branches into 2 named variations; the most played are Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Modern Variation and Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Noa Variation, San Remo Variation.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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How to answer 7. Qc2
7…Nc6 scores best for Black: 50.9%, with Black winning 48.8% and White 46.9% of 2,065 games. The most played, 7…O-O, scores 45.9% in 5,296 games, and 7…Qf6 scores lowest: 44.0%. Stockfish's first choice is 7…c5.
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 (2)
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Noa Variation (E37)”. Lichess data as of 30 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/nimzo-indian-defense-classical-variation-noa-variation-4