Nimzo-Indian Defense: Leningrad Variation, Benoni Defense
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Statistics from Lichess
7,652 games: White 46.9% / Draw 4.8% / Black 48.2%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 3,2373,237 | ||
| 1,2511,251 | ||
| 906906 | ||
| 577577 | ||
| 529529 | ||
| 353353 | ||
| 269269 | ||
| 189189 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 31, 2026
Engine evaluation
−0.30 Black is slightly better
Best play: 7. Qc2 exd5 8. cxd5 Nbd7 9. e3 Qa5 10. Ne2 b5 11. a3 O-O
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Leningrad Variation, Benoni Defense (ECO E31, Indian Defenses) is a variation of 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 d6 (6 moves).
In 7,652 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 46.9%, Black 48.2% and 4.8% were drawn. White's most played move here is 7. e3, in 42% 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, Benoni Defense
The most played answer, 7. e3, also scores best for White: 53.4%, with White winning 50.7% and Black 43.9% of 3,237 games. Of the main answers, 7. a3 scores lowest: 41.8%. Stockfish's first choice is 7. Qc2.
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, Benoni Defense (E31)”. Lichess data as of 31 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/nimzo-indian-defense-leningrad-variation-benoni-defense