Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Spike Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
137,663 games: White 48.6% / Draw 4.3% / Black 47.0%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 103,125103K | ||
| 23,17623K | ||
| 5,2005,200 | ||
| 2,8832,883 | ||
| 886886 | ||
| 763763 | ||
| 366366 | ||
| 317317 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 28, 2026
Engine evaluation
−0.32 Black is slightly better
Best play: 3... h6 4. h3 d5 5. e3 c5 6. Nf3 Bg7 7. Bg2 d4 8. c3
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Spike Variation (ECO A01, Flank Openings) is a variation of the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Indian Variation, reached after 1. b3 Nf6 2. Bb2 g6 3. g4 (3 moves).
In 137,663 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 48.6%, Black 47.0% and 4.3% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 3…Bg7, in 75% 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-Larsen Attack: Spike Variation
3…h6 scores best for Black: 50.9%, with Black winning 48.7% and White 46.9% of 23K games. The most played answer, 3…Bg7, scores lowest: 49.8% in 103K games. Stockfish's first choice is also 3…h6.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: Black'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-Larsen Attack: Spike Variation (A01)”. Lichess data as of 28 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/nimzo-larsen-attack-spike-variation