Indian · a defense for Black
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Noa Variation, Main Line
12/12
1.d4Nf62.c4e63.Nc3Bb44.Qc2d55.a3Bxc3+6.Qxc3Ne4
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Noa Variation, Main Line15k games · White to move
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
5.2%76842%
2.2%32041%
1%15339%
0.9%13144%
0.8%11726%
0%658%
0%50%
0%333%
0%250%
Famous games in this line709 master games
Mamedyarov, S. (2809) – So, W. (2799)Kramnik, Vladimir (2780) – Kasparov, Garry (2815)Mamedyarov, S. (2814) – Karjakin, Sergey (2778)Mamedyarov, S. (2808) – Karjakin, Sergey (2782)So, W. (2752) – Carlsen, M. (2830)So, W. (2799) – Karjakin, Sergey (2763)Kasparov, Garry (2813) – Adams, Michael (2740)Nakamura, Hi (2789) – Karjakin, Sergey (2759)- Family
- Nimzo-Indian Defense
- Category
- Indian
- First move
- 1.d4
- ECO
- E36
- Line
- 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 d5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 Ne4
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, Modern Variation7.Qc2 c5Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Noa Variation, San Remo Variation7.Qc2 Nc6 8.e3 e5
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