Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Bernstein Defense
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Statistics from Lichess
20,635 games: White 48.2% / Draw 6.1% / Black 45.7%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 8,1398,139 | ||
| 4,3084,308 | ||
| 2,6862,686 | ||
| 1,4091,409 | ||
| 1,0341,034 | ||
| 751751 | ||
| 742742 | ||
| 635635 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Nov 2, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.27 The position is about equal
Best play: 10... Qc7 11. h3 Rd8 12. Bd3 e5 13. Qc2 Qe7 14. dxe5 Nxe5 15. Nxe5
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Bernstein Defense (ECO E59, Indian Defenses) is a variation of the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Bernstein Defense, Exchange Line, reached after 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 (10 moves).
In 20,635 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 48.2%, Black 45.7% and 6.1% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 10…Qc7, in 39% of those games.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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How to answer 10. Bxc4
The most played answer, 10…Qc7, also scores best for Black: 53.8%, with Black winning 50.3% and White 42.8% of 8,139 games. Of the main answers, 10…Na5 scores lowest: 43.3%. Stockfish's first choice is also 10…Qc7.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: Black'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: Normal Variation, Bernstein Defense (E59)”. Lichess data as of 2 Nov 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/nimzo-indian-defense-normal-variation-bernstein-defense