Tree path 6 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
- 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 you are here
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric System
Overview
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric System is a named branch in the Indian Defenses group of chess theory, classified under ECO E53.
The Indian Defenses group covers Indian defences — hypermodern lines where Black challenges the centre with pieces rather than pawns.
The line arises from 12 plies — specifically the moves 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Bd3 d5 6. Nf3 c5.
In the opening tree, this line branches off from Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Classical Defense, part of the broader Nimzo-Indian Defense system.
4 named variations grow from this line, including Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric System, Bernstein Defense, Exchange Variation, and others.
Together the deeper variations number 9 across the full subtree.
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
- E53
- Group
- Indian Defenses (E)
- Plies
- 12
- Direct variations
- 4
- Total in subtree
- 9
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
152,968 games · White 47.8% / Draw 6.1% / Black 46.1%
| Moves | Games | W / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| O-O | 108,021 | |
| cxd5 | 21,659 | |
| a3 | 13,522 | |
| dxc5 | 5,894 | |
| Qc2 | 1,589 | |
| Bd2 | 1,156 | |
| h4 | 187 | |
| Kf1 | 140 |
Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 02:44:41
Write a description
Markdown supported (headings ###, bold, lists, links).
Submissions are reviewed before publishing.
Variations (4)
Show all 9 sub-variations (full subtree)
- E53 Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric System 14-ply
- E56 Bernstein Defense 14-ply
- E54 Exchange Variation 15-ply
- E53 Keres Variation 14-ply
- E58 Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Bernstein Defense, Exchange Line 17-ply
- E57 Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric System, Bernstein Defense 18-ply
- E55 Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric System, Bronstein Variation 16-ply
- E54 Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric System, Smyslov Variation 16-ply
- E59 Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Bernstein Defense 19-ply