Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric System 7. O-O Nbd7
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Statistics from Lichess
9,220 games: White 52.6% / Draw 4.8% / Black 42.6%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 4,1474,147 | ||
| 2,2192,219 | ||
| 565565 | ||
| 440440 | ||
| 376376 | ||
| 346346 | ||
| 338338 | ||
| 321321 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Nov 2, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.17 The position is about equal
Best play: 8. a3 Ba5 9. cxd5 exd5 10. Bd2 a6 11. Bc2 Bc7 12. Re1 h6
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric System (ECO E53, Indian Defenses) is a variation of the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric System, reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Bd3 d5 6. Nf3 c5 7. O-O Nbd7 (7 moves).
In 9,220 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 52.6%, Black 42.6% and 4.8% were drawn. White's most played move here is 8. a3, in 45% 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 7…Nbd7
8. cxd5 scores best for White: 55.7%, with White winning 53.2% and Black 41.8% of 2,219 games. The most played, 8. a3, scores 55.5% in 4,147 games, and 8. Qc2 scores lowest: 52.7%. Stockfish's first choice is 8. a3.
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: Normal Variation, Gligoric System (E53)”. Lichess data as of 2 Nov 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/nimzo-indian-defense-normal-variation-gligoric-system-2