Chess opening · ECO E20

Nimzo-Indian Defense

The Nimzo-Indian Defense starts 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4. It ranks #98 of the 174 openings on this site by how often rated players on Lichess reach it.

The position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4. White to move.

Move by move

  1. 1. d4White pushes the d-pawn two squares to d4, staking a claim in the center.
  2. 1... Nf6Black develops the kingside knight to f6.
  3. 2. c4White pushes the c-pawn two squares to c4.
  4. 2... e6Black advances the e-pawn to e6.
  5. 3. Nc3White develops the queenside knight to c3.
  6. 3... Bb4Black develops the dark-squared bishop to b4. It now attacks the knight on c3.

What players choose next, by rating

The three most common White moves from this position in rated Lichess games, grouped by the rating of the player making the move. Among players rated under 1200, the most popular next move is Bd2; among players rated 2000 and up, it is Qc2.

RatingMost commonSecondThird
Under 1200Bd2 100%––
1200–1399Bd2 41%Bg5 17%e3 13%
1400–1599Bd2 24%Nf3 17%a3 14%
1600–1799Bd2 20%Bg5 18%Nf3 15%
1800–1999Qc2 23%e3 20%Nf3 14%
2000 and upQc2 28%e3 21%Nf3 17%

Related openings

Indian Defense: Normal VariationThe line this one grows fromNimzo-Indian Defense: Rubinstein SystemA variation of this line

Practice it against a human-like opponent.

BeaconChess opponents open from these same books, then play human-like moves for their level while the coach explains your moves in plain English. The first coached game is free.

Play a free coached game →

Played this opening recently?

Paste the game into the free analyzer to find the moves that cost you, with each mistake explained. Three analyses are free, with no email or card.

Analyze a game free →