Nimzo-Indian Defence: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4......... 7.cxd5

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Nimzo-Indian Defence: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4...... 7.cxd5

+300%

E251.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.a3 Bxc3+ 5.bxc3 c5 6.f3 d5 7.cxd5

Aug 4, 2028

2 min read

TL;DR

Sämisch with the maximalist f3 setup. White's plan is to build with e4 and roll the central pawns forward; ...d5 and 7.cxd5 open the position and the rest depends on whether the bishop pair can outweigh the doubled c-pawns.

Reviewed by

IM John BartholomewCo-Founder & Chess Educator

International Master and chess educator. Co-founded Chessable and joined Chessiverse as co-founder. Best known for his "Climbing the Rating Ladder" YouTube series and structured opening courses.

In This Article

• History and Notable Players
• Performance Across Rating Levels
• Move Diversity and Theory Depth
• Common Mistakes
• Practice on Chessiverse
  
  

Summary

• d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.a3 Bxc3+ 5.bxc3 c5 6.f3 d5 7.cxd5 opens the Nimzo-Indian Defence: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4... 7.cxd5, ECO E25. Across rating levels it shows up in 41,243 recorded games — enough data to map exactly where it succeeds and where it stalls.
  
  

History and Notable Players

It arises from the Nimzo-Indian Defence: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4... 5.bxc3. On the White side, Sergey Volkov (45 games), Viktor Moskalenko (35 games), Alexei Shirov (21 games) top the database. Notable Black exponents: Ivan Farago (14 games), Igor Naumkin (9 games), Wolfgang Unzicker (7 games).

Performance Across Rating Levels

Popularity and results vary sharply by rating level. The 1200 bracket has 39 games (0.00% of all games at that level); White wins 38.5%, Black 53.8%, 7.7% are drawn. Move up to 1800 Elo and the share shifts to 0.00%, with White winning 47.8% versus Black's 47%. Among 2500-rated players the line appears in 0.03% of games and draws spike to 9%, indicating tight preparation. White's score improves by 9.4pp from the 1200 bracket to the 2500 bracket — the line rewards preparation.

Move Diversity and Theory Depth

What players actually play after the opening moves depends heavily on rating. At 1200 Elo, the top reply is exd5, played 46.2% of the time. There are 4 other moves seeing meaningful share, and 89.7% of games stick to established theory. Entropy: 1.80. By 2500, Nxd5 dominates at 64.6% of replies; only 2 viable alternatives remain and 99.7% of moves are theory. Entropy drops to 1.00. The narrowing is significant — strong players consolidate around a small set of best moves, while amateurs scatter across many plausible-looking options.

Common Mistakes

• Neglecting development — Extra pawn moves in the opening are tempting, especially when you "know the moves". Developing a piece each turn is the simple correction.
• Letting White own the centre — Hypermodern openings concede central space on purpose, but only if you strike back in time. Delay the counter-blow and you end up squeezed.
  
  

Practice on Chessiverse

Ready to try the Nimzo-Indian Defence: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4... 7.cxd5 against a bot? Pick an opponent at your level and play a game.

Quick Facts

Main Line1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.a3 Bxc3+ 5.bxc3 c5 6.f3 d5 7.cxd5

DifficultyExpert

Parent OpeningNimzo-Indian Defence: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4... 5.bxc3

Style

Theoretician openings have deep, well-studied lines where knowledge of specific variations gives a significant advantage. Preparation and memorization of key lines are essential.

41,243games on Lichess

50.6%

6.6%

42.8%

White wins Draws Black wins

Top Players

As White

• Sergey Volkov45 games
• Viktor Moskalenko35 games
• Alexei Shirov21 games
  
  

As Black

• Ivan Farago14 games
• Igor Naumkin9 games
• Wolfgang Unzicker7 games
  
  

Data from Lichess opening explorer (blitz & rapid)

Most Popular At2500

SharpnessCalm

Popularity by Rating

Percentage of all games at each rating bracket that feature this opening.

Data from Lichess opening explorer (blitz & rapid games)

Theory Adherence by Rating

How often players choose the single most popular move at this position. Higher = more predictable play.

Black to move after the opening line

Popularity Over Time

Share of all Lichess blitz + rapid games featuring this opening, by year.

Top Moves by Rating

Black to move after the opening line

RatingMost Popular2nd3rd

400exd5100%——

1000exd571.4%O-O14.3%Nxd514.3%

1200exd546.2%Nxd533.3%cxd410.3%

1400exd545.3%Nxd542.4%cxd48.1%

1600exd553.9%Nxd536.2%cxd45.2%

1800exd557.2%Nxd533.3%cxd45.7%

2000exd558.4%Nxd536.1%cxd43.5%

2200Nxd551.6%exd545.9%cxd41.7%

2500Nxd564.6%exd534.7%cxd40.4%

Popularity by Time Control

Bullet

<0.01%11K

Blitz

<0.01%38K

Rapid

<0.01%3K

3% more decisive in bullet

Raw data tables (Lichess blitz + rapid)

Nimzo-Indian Defence: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4...... 7.cxd5: popularity and win rates by player rating Rating (Elo) Share % Games White win % Black win % Draw % Sharpness 400 0.00 2 50.0 50.0 0.0 1.000 1000 0.00 8 50.0 50.0 0.0 1.000 1200 0.00 39 38.5 53.8 7.7 0.923 1400 0.00 172 41.9 56.4 1.7 0.983 1600 0.00 720 47.6 48.8 3.6 0.964 1800 0.00 3,302 47.8 47.0 5.2 0.948 2000 0.00 10,685 52.6 42.1 5.3 0.947 2200 0.01 22,085 50.7 42.2 7.1 0.929 2500 0.03 4,230 47.9 43.1 9.0 0.910 Nimzo-Indian Defence: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4...... 7.cxd5: move-choice theory adherence by rating Rating (Elo) Top move Top move % Viable moves Theory % Entropy 400 exd5 100.0 1 100.0 0.000 1000 exd5 71.4 3 100.0 1.149 1200 exd5 46.2 4 89.7 1.800 1400 exd5 45.3 3 95.9 1.549 1600 exd5 53.9 3 95.3 1.483 1800 exd5 57.2 3 96.2 1.444 2000 exd5 58.4 2 98.0 1.292 2200 Nxd5 51.6 2 99.2 1.173 2500 Nxd5 64.6 2 99.7 0.998 Nimzo-Indian Defence: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4...... 7.cxd5: popularity over time Year Share % Games White win % Black win % Draw % 2013 0.00 5 20.0 80.0 0.0 2014 0.00 59 40.7 54.2 5.1 2015 0.00 218 49.1 46.8 4.1 2016 0.00 568 47.5 46.3 6.2 2017 0.00 805 49.1 45.2 5.7 2018 0.00 1,495 49.2 44.3 6.5 2019 0.00 2,352 49.7 44.6 5.7 2020 0.00 6,423 50.0 42.7 7.3 2021 0.00 7,213 49.9 43.0 7.1 2022 0.00 6,521 50.5 43.2 6.3 2023 0.00 6,089 50.6 42.7 6.8 2024 0.00 6,173 51.7 42.7 5.6 2025 0.00 6,173 51.5 41.7 6.8 Nimzo-Indian Defence: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4...... 7.cxd5: popularity by time control Format Share % Games White win % Black win % Draw % Sharpness bullet 0.00 10,834 53.0 43.1 4.0 0.960 blitz 0.00 37,778 50.7 42.8 6.5 0.935 rapid 0.00 3,380 49.3 43.5 7.2 0.928 Nimzo-Indian Defence: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4...... 7.cxd5: top candidate moves by rating bracket Rating (Elo) 1st move 1st % 2nd move 2nd % 3rd move 3rd % 400 exd5 100.0 — — — — 1000 exd5 71.4 O-O 14.3 Nxd5 14.3 1200 exd5 46.2 Nxd5 33.3 cxd4 10.3 1400 exd5 45.3 Nxd5 42.4 cxd4 8.1 1600 exd5 53.9 Nxd5 36.2 cxd4 5.2 1800 exd5 57.2 Nxd5 33.3 cxd4 5.7 2000 exd5 58.4 Nxd5 36.1 cxd4 3.5 2200 Nxd5 51.6 exd5 45.9 cxd4 1.7 2500 Nxd5 64.6 exd5 34.7 cxd4 0.4 Nimzo-Indian Defence: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4...... 7.cxd5: top practitioners by side Side Player Games White Sergey Volkov 45 White Viktor Moskalenko 35 White Alexei Shirov 21 Black Ivan Farago 14 Black Igor Naumkin 9 Black Wolfgang Unzicker 7

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Nimzo-Indian Defence: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4... 7.cxd5?

The Nimzo-Indian Defence: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4... 7.cxd5 begins with 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.a3 Bxc3+ 5.bxc3 c5 6.f3 d5 7.cxd5 and is classified under ECO code E25.

Is the Nimzo-Indian Defence: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4... 7.cxd5 good for beginners?

The Nimzo-Indian Defence: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4... 7.cxd5 can be played at any level. Beginners should focus on understanding the key strategic ideas rather than memorizing long theoretical lines. Our AI bots at various rating levels provide a great way to practice the opening concepts.

What are the win rates for the Nimzo-Indian Defence: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4... 7.cxd5?

In a database of 41,243 master games, White wins 50.6% of the time, Black wins 42.8%, and 6.6% are drawn. Notable players on the White side include Sergey Volkov and Viktor Moskalenko. On the Black side, Ivan Farago and Igor Naumkin are among the most frequent practitioners.

How can I practice the Nimzo-Indian Defence: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4... 7.cxd5?

On Chessiverse, you can practice the Nimzo-Indian Defence: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4... 7.cxd5 by playing against our 600+ AI bots. Each bot has a unique playing style and opening repertoire, so you can find the perfect sparring partner for any level.

Related Openings

Catalan Opening

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Catalan Opening: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4...... 4.Bg2

Bishop reaches g2 and the long diagonal opens up. Black faces the strategic choice: take on c4 or stay closed? 1.1M games. Play vs. AI on Chessiverse.

Catalan Opening: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4...... 5.Nf3

Closed Catalan main path: Black keeps the centre tight with ...Be7. White's g2 bishop gnaws away while looking for the right moment to break. 1.6M games. Play vs. AI on Chessiverse.

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Reviewed by

IM John BartholomewCo-Founder & Chess Educator

International Master and chess educator. Co-founded Chessable and joined Chessiverse as co-founder. Best known for his "Climbing the Rating Ladder" YouTube series and structured opening courses.

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