Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric System, Smyslov Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
207 games: White 50.7% / Draw 8.2% / Black 41.1%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 122122 | ||
| 2828 | ||
| 99 | ||
| 88 | ||
| 88 | ||
| 77 | ||
| 66 | ||
| 44 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 30, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.23 The position is about equal
Best play: 9. a3 Ba5 10. Qc2 Bd7 11. dxc5 Qxc5 12. Be2 Nd5 13. Bd2 Nxc3
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, Smyslov Variation (ECO E54, 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 Qe7 (8 moves).
In 207 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 50.7%, Black 41.1% and 8.2% were drawn. White's most played move here is 9. a3, in 59% of those games.
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Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Gligoric System, Smyslov Variation (E54)”. Lichess data as of 30 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/nimzo-indian-defense-normal-variation-gligoric-system-smyslov-variation