Nimzo-Indian Defense: Rubinstein System, Hübner Variation 8. O-O O-O
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Statistics from Lichess
18,552 games: White 42.7% / Draw 6.4% / Black 50.9%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 7,1397,139 | ||
| 1,9451,945 | ||
| 1,9041,904 | ||
| 1,0771,077 | ||
| 1,0021,002 | ||
| 985985 | ||
| 851851 | ||
| 806806 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Nov 1, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.23 The position is about equal
Best play: 9. e4 e5 10. d5 Ne7 11. Nh4 Ng6 12. Nf5 Nf4 13. Bc2 g6
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Rubinstein System, Hübner Variation (ECO E41, Indian Defenses) is a variation of the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Rubinstein System, Hübner Variation, reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 c5 5. Bd3 Nc6 6. Nf3 Bxc3+ 7. bxc3 d6 8. O-O O-O (8 moves).
In 18,552 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 42.7%, Black 50.9% and 6.4% were drawn. White's most played move here is 9. e4, in 38% 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 8…O-O
The most played answer, 9. e4, also scores best for White: 50.0%, with White winning 46.6% and Black 46.5% of 7,139 games. Of the main answers, 9. Ba3 scores lowest: 39.6%. Stockfish's first choice is also 9. e4.
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: Rubinstein System, Hübner Variation (E41)”. Lichess data as of 1 Nov 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/nimzo-indian-defense-rubinstein-system-hubner-variation-2