Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Romanishin Gambit
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Statistics from Lichess
4,109 games: White 46.9% / Draw 6.6% / Black 46.5%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 2,1522,152 | ||
| 531531 | ||
| 516516 | ||
| 463463 | ||
| 420420 | ||
| 1010 | ||
| 66 | ||
| 33 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 30, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.49 White is slightly better
Best play: 7. dxc5 d4 8. Qg3 Nc6 9. Nf3 e5 10. b4 e4 11. Nd2 O-O
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Romanishin Gambit (ECO E36, Indian Defenses) is a gambit in 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 c5 (6 moves).
In 4,109 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 46.9%, Black 46.5% and 6.6% were drawn. White's most played move here is 7. dxc5, in 52% of those games.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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How to play against the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Romanishin Gambit
The most played answer, 7. dxc5, also scores best for White: 53.3%, with White winning 50.3% and Black 43.7% of 2,152 games. Of the main answers, 7. Bg5 scores lowest: 43.9%. Stockfish's first choice is also 7. dxc5.
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, Romanishin Gambit (E36)”. Lichess data as of 30 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/nimzo-indian-defense-classical-variation-romanishin-gambit