Indian · a defense for Black
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Berlin Variation
8/8
1.d4Nf62.c4e63.Nc3Bb44.Qc2c5
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Berlin Variation406k games · White to move
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
33%135k51%
32%129k54%
16%64k51%
14%57k49%
3.6%15k43%
0.9%3.8k36%
0.2%67738%
0.1%56339%
0.1%37248%
0.1%24233%
Famous games in this line5.2k master games
Kasparov, Garry (2838) – Kramnik, Vladimir (2802)Kasparov, Garry (2820) – Kramnik, Vladimir (2770)Vachier Lagrave, M.. (2784) – Aronian, L.. (2781)Mamedyarov, S. (2759) – Firouzja, Alireza (2804)So, W.. (2770) – Aronian, L.. (2781)Mamedyarov, S.. (2770) – Aronian, L.. (2781)Mamedyarov, S. (2772) – Aronian, L. (2772)Shankland, S. (2709) – Caruana, F. (2806)Heroes of this opening Kasparov, Garry · Mamedyarov, S.. · Shankland, S.
- Family
- Nimzo-Indian Defense
- Category
- Indian
- First move
- 1.d4
- ECO
- E38
- Line
- 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 c5
PositionalHypermodern
★ Read the guide: Nimzo-Indian DefenseExplore all 99 Nimzo-Indian Defense lines →Keep exploring
Go deeper — named lines from here
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Berlin Variation, Pirc Variation5.dxc5 O-O · 1 deeper lineNimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Berlin Variation, Steiner Variation5.dxc5 Bxc3Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Berlin Variation, Macieja System5.dxc5 O-O 6.a3 Bxc5 7.Nf3 b6
Nearby lines in the family
From the archives
Aron Nimzowitsch's ...Bb4 pin was little known when the 1920s began and one of Black's favoured defences by the time they ended; it reached a world-championship match in 1929. Its idea was radical: control the centre with PIECES, trade the bishop for structural damage, and grind.
Study this opening