Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Noa Variation, Main Line
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Statistics from Lichess
19,152 games: White 49.1% / Draw 5.9% / Black 45.0%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Noa Variation | 17,54918K | |
| 814814 | ||
| 341341 | ||
| 161161 | ||
| 136136 | ||
| 123123 | ||
| 77 | ||
| 66 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 29, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.24 The position is about equal
Best play: 7. Qc2 c5 8. dxc5 Nc6 9. Nf3 Qa5+ 10. Bd2 Qxc5 11. e3 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, Main Line (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 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 Ne4 (6 moves).
In 19,152 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 49.1%, Black 45.0% and 5.9% were drawn. White's most played move here is 7. Qc2, in 92% of those games.
It continues into one named variation, Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Noa Variation. In all, 3 named lines continue from it.
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Variations (1)
All 3 named lines that continue from here
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Noa Variation, Main Line (E36)”. Lichess data as of 29 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/nimzo-indian-defense-classical-variation-noa-variation-main-line