Nimzo-Indian Defense: Leningrad Variation, Averbakh Gambit
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Statistics from Lichess
2,187 games: White 48.9% / Draw 5.3% / Black 45.7%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 673673 | ||
| 561561 | ||
| 438438 | ||
| 229229 | ||
| 113113 | ||
| 6565 | ||
| 2525 | ||
| 2020 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 31, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.12 The position is about equal
Best play: 7. e3 Bb7 8. dxe6 fxe6 9. cxb5 O-O 10. Nf3 Qa5 11. Qc2 a6
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Leningrad Variation, Averbakh Gambit (ECO E30, Indian Defenses) is a gambit in the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Leningrad Variation, reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Bg5 h6 5. Bh4 c5 6. d5 b5 (6 moves).
In 2,187 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 48.9%, Black 45.7% and 5.3% were drawn. White's most played move here is 7. e3, in 31% 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: Leningrad Variation, Averbakh Gambit
7. f3 scores best for White: 64.2%, with White winning 59.3% and Black 31.0% of 113 games. The most played, 7. e3, scores 55.4% in 673 games, and 7. cxb5 scores lowest: 46.3%. Stockfish's first choice is 7. e3.
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: Leningrad Variation, Averbakh Gambit (E30)”. Lichess data as of 31 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/nimzo-indian-defense-leningrad-variation-averbakh-gambit