Tree path 3 levels Nimzo-Indian Defense › Three Knights Variation › Korchnoi Variation
- Chess Codex
- Nimzo-Indian Defense E20
- Three Knights Variation E21
- Korchnoi Variation E21 you are here
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Three Knights Variation, Korchnoi Variation
Overview
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Three Knights Variation, Korchnoi Variation is a named branch in the Indian Defenses group of chess theory, classified under ECO E21.
The Indian Defenses group covers Indian defences — hypermodern lines where Black challenges the centre with pieces rather than pawns.
It begins with 9 plies and takes 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 c5 5. d5 to reach the canonical position.
In the opening tree, this line branches off from Nimzo-Indian Defense: Three Knights Variation, part of the broader Nimzo-Indian Defense system.
It continues primarily into one named line, Nimzo-Indian Defense: Three Knights Variation, Euwe Variation.
Use the board to walk through every move, check how the position has scored on Lichess, or take it head-to-head against Stockfish.
- ECO code
- E21
- Group
- Indian Defenses (E)
- Plies
- 9
- Direct variations
- 1
This overview is generated automatically from the opening's metadata. Know this line well? Write a description — submissions are reviewed before publishing.
Statistics from Lichess
62,439 games · White 47.9% / Draw 4.5% / Black 47.6%
| Moves | Games | W / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| exd5 | 25,217 | |
| d6 | 14,619 | |
| O-O | 7,590 | |
| Bxc3+ | 5,072 | |
| Ne4 | 4,451 | |
| Qa5 | 2,539 | |
| b5 | 2,024 | |
| b6 | 409 |
Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 02:10:15
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