Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric System, Exchange Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
59,491 games: White 45.3% / Draw 6.9% / Black 47.8%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 29,13629K | ||
| 15,97016K | ||
| Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric System, Bronstein Variation | 3,9633,963 | |
| 2,9512,951 | ||
| 2,7992,799 | ||
| 2,5102,510 | ||
| 1,6001,600 | ||
| 212212 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Nov 2, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.13 The position is about equal
Best play: 8... a6 9. a3 Bxc3 10. bxc3 b5 11. Be2 Bb7 12. c4 bxc4 13. Bxc4
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, Exchange Variation (ECO E54, 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 dxc4 8. Bxc4 (8 moves).
In 59,491 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 45.3%, Black 47.8% and 6.9% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 8…cxd4, in 49% of those games.
It branches into 2 named variations; the most played are Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric System, Bronstein Variation and Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric System, Smyslov Variation.
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How to play against the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric System, Exchange Variation
8…Nbd7 (Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric System, Bronstein Variation) scores best for Black: 55.0%, with Black winning 51.6% and White 41.6% of 3,963 games. The most played, 8…cxd4, scores 51.8% in 29K games, and 8…Nc6 scores lowest: 50.2%. Stockfish's first choice is 8…a6.
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
Variations (2)
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric System, Exchange Variation (E54)”. Lichess data as of 2 Nov 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/nimzo-indian-defense-normal-variation-gligoric-system-exchange-variation