E51

Nimzo-Indian Defense: Ragozin Variation

Play any move on the board to explore from there, or step through the line with ‹ › and the arrow keys.

Statistics from Lichess

6,727 games: White 58.4% / Draw 3.9% / Black 37.7%

The moves played next. Pick one to see it on the board.
Next move	Games	White / Draw / BlackW / D / B
	6,7136,713
	44
	33
	22
	11
	11
	11
	11

Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 28, 2026

Engine evaluation

+0.36 White is slightly better

Best play: 8. Bxc4 Bd6 9. e4 e5 10. d5 Ne7 11. Be3 h6 12. h3 Nh7

Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.

Overview

Nimzo-Indian Defense: Ragozin Variation (ECO E51, Indian Defenses) is a variation of the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Ragozin Defense, reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Bd3 d5 6. Nf3 Nc6 7. O-O dxc4 (7 moves).

In 6,727 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 58.4%, Black 37.7% and 3.9% were drawn. White's most played move here is 8. Bxc4, in 100% of those games.

Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.

Write a description or report a mistake

What would you like to send? A description of this line A mistake on this page (moves, name, statistics…)

Markdown supported (headings ###, bold, lists, links). Submissions are reviewed before publishing.

Your name (optional) Your email (optional, not published)

Description

Cite this page

Caissa Codex. “Nimzo-Indian Defense: Ragozin Variation (E51)”. Lichess data as of 28 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/nimzo-indian-defense-ragozin-variation