Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric System, Bronstein Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
6,523 games: White 44.0% / Draw 6.3% / Black 49.6%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 3,8463,846 | ||
| 1,1281,128 | ||
| 233233 | ||
| 216216 | ||
| 187187 | ||
| 180180 | ||
| 173173 | ||
| 166166 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 25, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.22 The position is about equal
Best play: 9. a3 Ba5 10. Be2 cxd4 11. Qxd4 e5 12. Qd3 Nc5 13. Qxd8 Bxd8
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, Bronstein Variation (ECO E55, Indian Defenses) is a variation of the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric System, Exchange Variation, reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Bd3 d5 6. Nf3 c5 7. O-O dxc4 8. Bxc4 Nbd7 (8 moves).
In 6,523 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 44.0%, Black 49.6% and 6.3% were drawn. White's most played move here is 9. a3, in 59% 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: Normal Variation, Gligoric System, Bronstein Variation
9. Qe2 scores best for White: 49.6%, with White winning 46.4% and Black 47.1% of 1,128 games. The most played answer, 9. a3, scores lowest: 47.4% in 3,846 games. Stockfish's first choice is 9. 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, Bronstein Variation (E55)”. Lichess data as of 25 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/nimzo-indian-defense-normal-variation-gligoric-system-bronstein-variation