Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Schlechter Defense 7. O-O d5
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Statistics from Lichess
43,478 games: White 48.2% / Draw 5.6% / Black 46.2%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 14,85215K | ||
| 14,13814K | ||
| 2,6512,651 | ||
| 2,6032,603 | ||
| 2,4402,440 | ||
| 2,3592,359 | ||
| 1,9031,903 | ||
| 975975 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 30, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.20 The position is about equal
Best play: 8. cxd5 exd5 9. Ne5 Bd6 10. Nb5 Be7 11. b3 c5 12. Bb2 Re8
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Schlechter Defense (ECO E52, Indian Defenses) is a variation of the Nimzo-Indian Defense: St. Petersburg Variation, reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 b6 5. Bd3 Bb7 6. Nf3 O-O 7. O-O d5 (7 moves).
In 43,478 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 48.2%, Black 46.2% and 5.6% were drawn. White's most played move here is 8. cxd5, in 34% of those games.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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How to answer 7…d5
The most played answer, 8. cxd5, also scores best for White: 53.2%, with White winning 50.3% and Black 43.9% of 15K games. Of the main answers, 8. Qc2 scores lowest: 48.5%. Stockfish's first choice is also 8. cxd5.
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, Schlechter Defense (E52)”. Lichess data as of 30 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/nimzo-indian-defense-normal-variation-schlechter-defense-2