Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Sämisch Deferred
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Statistics from Lichess
85,249 games: White 50.0% / Draw 5.1% / Black 44.8%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 65,49965K | ||
| 12,27112K | ||
| 3,8403,840 | ||
| 3,1813,181 | ||
| 8383 | ||
| 6767 | ||
| 5353 | ||
| 4141 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 25, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.14 The position is about equal
Best play: 6... Bxc3+ 7. bxc3 c5 8. Be2 Qc7 9. cxd5 exd5 10. dxc5 Qxc5 11. O-O
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Sämisch Deferred (ECO E51, Indian Defenses) is a variation of the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Ragozin Variation, reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Nf3 d5 6. a3 (6 moves).
In 85,249 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 50.0%, Black 44.8% and 5.1% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 6…Bxc3+, in 77% 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, Sämisch Deferred
The most played answer, 6…Bxc3+, also scores best for Black: 48.9%, with Black winning 46.3% and White 48.5% of 65K games. Of the main answers, 6…Be7 scores lowest: 47.7%. Stockfish's first choice is also 6…Bxc3+.
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
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Sämisch Deferred (E51)”. Lichess data as of 25 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/nimzo-indian-defense-normal-variation-samisch-deferred