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Nimzo-Indian Defense: Spielmann Variation, Romanovsky Gambit

Black Gambit

Source Lichess

You play
Tough Sellloses more often than it wins at this level
All Ratings
Edge at worst−4.8%

Black isn't shown winning more often than losing at this level

how far wins run ahead of losses, 90% confident

Rating TrendPeak: +0.4% at 1600-1799
1400-15992500+
Win%45.7%
Games5.8K
Breakpoint1400-1599first rating it isn't shown winning more than losing
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Does Nimzo-Indian Defense: Spielmann Variation, Romanovsky Gambit work for Black at All Ratings?

Snapshot

At All Ratings, Nimzo-Indian Defense: Spielmann Variation, Romanovsky Gambit keeps Black's wins running −4.8% ahead of its losses at worst, 90% confident, from 5.8K Lichess games. The games don't show this gambit paying at this level. Win rate, draw rate and loss rate come from games played December 2023 to November 2025.

RatingEdge at worstBlack WinDrawBlack LossGames
1400-1599−2.6%55.5%2.4%42.2%104
1600-1799+0.4%53.8%2.8%43.4%269
1800-1999−2.5%49.1%5.1%45.8%786
2000-2199−9.9%44.7%4.7%50.6%1.7K
2200-2499−8.5%44.1%6.9%49.0%2.1K
2500+−10.8%43.0%9.1%47.9%772
Full Opening StatsSee rating/time-control breakdowns for Black on the opening stats page
Analyze Nimzo-Indian Defense: Spielmann Variation, Romanovsky Gambit PositionsGet move-by-move win rates with the TrueElo analyzer

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Spielmann Variation, Romanovsky Gambit sound?

At some ratings. Black comes out ahead at 1600-1799; at the other ratings we can see, the games do not show it paying. Where it pays changes with the clock, so set yours above and look again.

What is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Spielmann Variation, Romanovsky Gambit win rate?

Black wins 45.7% of Nimzo-Indian Defense: Spielmann Variation, Romanovsky Gambit games, draws 6.0% and loses 48.4%. That rests on 5.8K games from Lichess.

What is the best rating to play the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Spielmann Variation, Romanovsky Gambit?

1600-1799. There Black wins at least 0.4 more of every 100 games than it loses (90% confident), its highest Edge at worst.

Is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Spielmann Variation, Romanovsky Gambit better in blitz or rapid?

Rapid. For Black, the Edge at worst — how far wins run ahead of losses, 90% confident — is −6.7% in Blitz (3.5K games) and +6.3% in Rapid (361 games).

Does the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Spielmann Variation, Romanovsky Gambit breakpoint vary by time control?

Yes. The first rating where the games do not show Black coming out ahead is 1600-1799 in Bullet, 1400-1599 in Blitz and 2000-2199 in Rapid.

How sharp is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Spielmann Variation, Romanovsky Gambit?

The Nimzo-Indian Defense: Spielmann Variation, Romanovsky Gambit is very sharp: 6.0% of its games are drawn, so 94.0% end with a winner.

Should I play the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Spielmann Variation, Romanovsky Gambit?

At 1600-1799, where Black comes out ahead. At the other ratings we can see, the games do not show it paying. Where it pays changes with the clock, so set yours above and look again.

How do I defend against the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Spielmann Variation, Romanovsky Gambit?

As White, take the material, then develop fast, castle early, and trade pieces. Give the material back when doing so kills the attack. At 1600-1799, Black still comes out ahead in these games; at the other ratings we can see, the games do not show the gambit paying.

How reliable is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Spielmann Variation, Romanovsky Gambit data?

This rests on 5.8K games from Lichess. Every figure carries the range it is in, 90% confident, and the table above shows how many games sit behind each rating and each clock — the fewer there are, the wider that range.