Tree path 7 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 › Exchange Variation
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric System, Exchange Variation
Overview
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric System, Exchange Variation is a named branch in the Indian Defenses group of chess theory, classified under ECO E54.
The Indian Defenses group covers Indian defences — hypermodern lines where Black challenges the centre with pieces rather than pawns.
It is reached after 15 plies of play, with the move sequence 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.
In the opening tree, this line branches off from Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric System, part of the broader Nimzo-Indian Defense system.
2 named variations grow from this line, including Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric System, Bronstein Variation, Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric System, Smyslov Variation.
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
- E54
- Group
- Indian Defenses (E)
- Plies
- 15
- Direct variations
- 2
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
59,491 games · White 45.3% / Draw 6.9% / Black 47.8%
| Moves | Games | W / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| cxd4 | 29,136 | |
| Nc6 | 15,970 | |
| Nbd7 | 3,963 | |
| a6 | 2,951 | |
| b6 | 2,799 | |
| Bxc3 | 2,510 | |
| Qc7 | 1,600 | |
| Bd7 | 212 |
Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 03:08:38
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