Tree path 9 levels Nimzo-Indian Defense › Rubinstein System › Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation › Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation › Classical Defense › Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric System › Bernstein Defense › Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Bernstein Defense, Exchange Line › Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Bernstein Defense
- Chess Codex
- Nimzo-Indian Defense E20
- Rubinstein System E40
- Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation E46
- Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation E47
- Classical Defense E48
- Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric System E53
- Bernstein Defense E56
- Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Bernstein Defense, Exchange Line E58
- Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Bernstein Defense E59 you are here
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Bernstein Defense
Overview
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Bernstein Defense is a named branch in the Indian Defenses group of chess theory, classified under ECO E59.
The Indian Defenses group covers Indian defences — hypermodern lines where Black challenges the centre with pieces rather than pawns.
Play reaches this position via 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Bd3 d5 6. Nf3 c5 7. O-O Nc6 8. a3 Bxc3 9. bxc3 dxc4 10. Bxc4, after 19 plies of opening development.
In the opening tree, this line branches off from Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Bernstein Defense, Exchange Line, part of the broader Nimzo-Indian Defense system.
Use the board to walk through every move, check how the position has scored on Lichess, or take it head-to-head against Stockfish.
- ECO code
- E59
- Group
- Indian Defenses (E)
- Plies
- 19
This overview is generated automatically from the opening's metadata. Know this line well? Write a description — submissions are reviewed before publishing.
Statistics from Lichess
20,635 games · White 48.2% / Draw 6.1% / Black 45.7%
| Moves | Games | W / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| Qc7 | 8,139 | |
| cxd4 | 4,308 | |
| b6 | 2,686 | |
| a6 | 1,409 | |
| Na5 | 1,034 | |
| Ne4 | 751 | |
| Qa5 | 742 | |
| Qe7 | 635 |
Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 03:24:43
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