Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, O'Kelly Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
14,031 games: White 46.0% / Draw 5.1% / Black 49.0%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 7,7417,741 | ||
| 3,8443,844 | ||
| 527527 | ||
| 414414 | ||
| 294294 | ||
| 255255 | ||
| 237237 | ||
| 186186 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Nov 1, 2026
Engine evaluation
0.00 The position is about equal
Best play: 7. Bd3 Bb7 8. f3 Nc6 9. Ne2 O-O 10. e4 Ne8 11. O-O Rc8
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, O'Kelly Variation (ECO E26, Indian Defenses) is a variation of the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. a3 Bxc3+ 5. bxc3 c5 6. e3 b6 (6 moves).
In 14,031 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 46.0%, Black 49.0% and 5.1% were drawn. White's most played move here is 7. Bd3, in 55% 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: Sämisch Variation, O'Kelly Variation
The most played answer, 7. Bd3, also scores best for White: 52.8%, with White winning 50.4% and Black 44.7% of 7,741 games. Of the main answers, 7. Nf3 scores lowest: 42.6%. Stockfish's first choice is also 7. Bd3.
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: Sämisch Variation, O'Kelly Variation (E26)”. Lichess data as of 1 Nov 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/nimzo-indian-defense-samisch-variation-okelly-variation