ECO E37 · Nimzo-Indian Defense

Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Modern Variation

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 d5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 Ne4 7. Qc2 c5

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White to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

8. dxc5+0.21

The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Modern Variation (E37), reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 d5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 Ne4 7. Qc2 c5, Stockfish 18 recommends 8. dxc5 for White. The position is roughly equal (+0.21).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.218. dxc5 Nc6 9. Nf3 Qa5+ 10. Bd2 Qxc5 11. e3 Nxd2 12. Nxd2 O-O
  2. +0.018. Nf3 Qa5+ 9. Bd2 Nxd2 10. Qxd2 Qxd2+ 11. Kxd2 dxc4 12. e4 cxd4
  3. −0.188. e3 Qa5+ 9. Bd2 Qxd2+ 10. Qxd2 Nxd2 11. Kxd2 cxd4 12. exd4 Nc6

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Modern Variation?
After 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 d5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 Ne4 7. Qc2 c5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 8. dxc5 for White, continuing Nc6 9. Nf3 Qa5+ 10. Bd2 Qxc5 11. e3 Nxd2 12. Nxd2 O-O. The position is roughly equal (+0.21). The next best moves are 8. Nf3 (+0.01) and 8. e3 (−0.18).
Is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Modern Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.21: the position is roughly equal. Evaluations this early in the game are small, so practical results depend far more on knowing the plans and typical structures than on the engine's number.
What is the ECO code of the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Modern Variation?
E37. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; E is the volume for indian defenses.

Opening names from the Lichess opening book (CC0). Pieces by Colin M.L. Burnett (GPLv2+).