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Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation

411K games from Lichess · Updated January 2026

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White Expected Score53.3%Range (90% confident): 53.2% – 53.4%Based on 411K games
0%53.3%100%
Range (90% confident): 53.2% – 53.4%
Outcome Distribution
50.5%5.6%43.9%
Win
Draw
Loss
4.Qc2
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation
Analyzen=411K
Avg Length36 moves
Sharpness94%
Draw Rate5.6%

What is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation expected score for White?

Snapshot

At all ratings, the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation has a 53.3% expected score for White (we're 90% confident it's between 53.2% and 53.4%), based on 411K Lichess games.

Extra Analysis

Deep-dive datasets for this opening

Time-Control Swing

Max swing: 13.3% · Bullet best · UltraBullet worst

White Win% by Rating

Declines with rating: 55% → 50%

0
1000
1200
1400
1600
1800
2000
2200
2500+

  • 0-999: 55.1% win rate (402 games)
  • 1000-1199: 54.1% win rate (2,188 games)
  • 1200-1399: 53.1% win rate (8,048 games)
  • 1400-1599: 52.6% win rate (22,636 games)
  • 1600-1799: 51.8% win rate (51,676 games)
  • 1800-1999: 50.2% win rate (98,172 games)
  • 2000-2199: 49.7% win rate (115,403 games)
  • 2200-2499: 50.4% win rate (90,011 games)
  • 2500+: 50.4% win rate (22,796 games)

White Win% by Time Control

Best in Bullet (51%), worst in UltraBullet (38%)

UltraBullet
Bullet
Blitz
Rapid
Classical

  • UltraBullet: 37.7% win rate (143 games)
  • Bullet: 51.0% win rate (107,947 games)
  • Blitz: 50.6% win rate (255,372 games)
  • Rapid: 49.1% win rate (45,271 games)
  • Classical: 45.5% win rate (2,599 games)

White% by Rating × Time Control

Click any cell to filter. Green = above 50%, Red = below 50%.

RatingUBBulleBlitzRapidClass
0-999—
1000-1199—
1200-1399
1400-1599
1600-1799
1800-1999
2000-2199
2200-2499
2500+—

Expected score matrix by rating bracket and time control

  • 0-999 rating, UltraBullet: 30.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 0-999 rating, Bullet: 56.2% expected score (231 games)
  • 0-999 rating, Blitz: 55.0% expected score (148 games)
  • 0-999 rating, Rapid: 54.3% expected score (22 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Bullet: 52.8% expected score (1,029 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Blitz: 57.6% expected score (989 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Rapid: 55.9% expected score (169 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Classical: 70.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, UltraBullet: 52.8% expected score (17 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Bullet: 54.2% expected score (2,993 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Blitz: 54.4% expected score (4,294 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Rapid: 56.4% expected score (715 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Classical: 53.3% expected score (29 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, UltraBullet: 37.6% expected score (51 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Bullet: 53.8% expected score (6,463 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Blitz: 54.6% expected score (13,466 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Rapid: 53.8% expected score (2,535 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Classical: 52.9% expected score (121 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, UltraBullet: 26.2% expected score (32 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Bullet: 53.8% expected score (12,782 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Blitz: 53.8% expected score (31,678 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Rapid: 53.2% expected score (6,714 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Classical: 52.4% expected score (470 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, UltraBullet: 43.3% expected score (28 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Bullet: 52.4% expected score (20,261 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Blitz: 52.9% expected score (62,725 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Rapid: 51.2% expected score (14,046 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Classical: 49.5% expected score (1,112 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, UltraBullet: 56.9% expected score (13 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Bullet: 52.5% expected score (23,581 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Blitz: 52.6% expected score (77,293 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Rapid: 52.4% expected score (13,864 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Classical: 52.9% expected score (652 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, UltraBullet: 30.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Bullet: 52.7% expected score (27,502 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Blitz: 54.6% expected score (55,687 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Rapid: 53.8% expected score (6,648 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Classical: 49.1% expected score (173 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Bullet: 55.8% expected score (13,105 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Blitz: 57.2% expected score (9,092 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Rapid: 58.0% expected score (558 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Classical: 55.9% expected score (41 games)

Related Openings

Parent
Nimzo-Indian Defense
48.4%
Variations (5)
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Berlin Variation
48.9%
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Berlin Variation, Macieja System
54.8%
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Berlin Variation, Pirc Variation
47.2%
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Berlin Variation, Steiner Variation
46.2%
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Keres Defense
45.5%
Continuations (10)
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Berlin Variation
48.9%
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Berlin Variation, Macieja System
54.8%
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Berlin Variation, Pirc Variation
47.2%
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Berlin Variation, Steiner Variation
46.2%
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Keres Defense
45.5%
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Milner-Barry Variation
45.9%
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Modern Variation
46.7%
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Noa Variation
50.7%
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Noa Variation, Botvinnik Variation
49.2%
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Noa Variation, Main Line
40.0%
Analyze Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation PositionsGet move-by-move win rates with the TrueElo analyzer

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation win rate?

The Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation has a 50.5% (90% CI: 50.4%-50.6%) win rate for white, based on 411K rated games from Lichess.

At what rating does the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation perform best?

The Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation performs best at 1000-1199 Elo with a 54.1% win rate for white (2.2K games). Win rate tends to decline at higher ratings as opponents know the theory better.

Is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation better in blitz or rapid?

Bullet (51.0%) outperforms UltraBullet (37.7%) by 13.3%. Choose your time control wisely.

How sharp is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation?

The Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation has a sharpness score of 94.4 (decisive), meaning 94.4% of games end decisively. Average game length is 36 moves.

What is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation win rate at 0-999 Elo?

At 0-999 Elo, the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation has a 55.1% (90% CI: 51.1%-59.2%) win rate for white, based on 402 Lichess games. Average game length is 24 moves with a 0.9% draw rate.

What is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation win rate at 1000-1199 Elo?

At 1000-1199 Elo, the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation has a 54.1% (90% CI: 52.4%-55.9%) win rate for white, based on 2.2K Lichess games. Average game length is 27 moves with a 2.0% draw rate.

What is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation win rate at 1200-1399 Elo?

At 1200-1399 Elo, the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation has a 53.1% (90% CI: 52.2%-54.0%) win rate for white, based on 8.0K Lichess games. Average game length is 29 moves with a 2.8% draw rate.

What is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation win rate at 1400-1599 Elo?

At 1400-1599 Elo, the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation has a 52.6% (90% CI: 52.1%-53.2%) win rate for white, based on 23K Lichess games. Average game length is 31 moves with a 3.2% draw rate.

What is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation win rate at 1600-1799 Elo?

At 1600-1799 Elo, the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation has a 51.8% (90% CI: 51.4%-52.1%) win rate for white, based on 52K Lichess games. Average game length is 33 moves with a 3.7% draw rate.

What is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation win rate at 1800-1999 Elo?

At 1800-1999 Elo, the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation has a 50.2% (90% CI: 49.9%-50.4%) win rate for white, based on 98K Lichess games. Average game length is 35 moves with a 4.7% draw rate.

What is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation win rate at 2000-2199 Elo?

At 2000-2199 Elo, the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation has a 49.7% (90% CI: 49.4%-49.9%) win rate for white, based on 115K Lichess games. Average game length is 37 moves with a 5.6% draw rate.

What is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation win rate at 2200-2499 Elo?

At 2200-2499 Elo, the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation has a 50.4% (90% CI: 50.1%-50.7%) win rate for white, based on 90K Lichess games. Average game length is 38 moves with a 6.9% draw rate.

What is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation win rate at 2500+ Elo?

At 2500+ Elo, the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation has a 50.4% (90% CI: 49.8%-50.9%) win rate for white, based on 23K Lichess games. Average game length is 43 moves with a 12.0% draw rate.

What is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation win rate in UltraBullet?

In UltraBullet games, the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation has a 37.7% (90% CI: 31.2%-44.4%) win rate for white (143 Lichess games). Draw rate is 2.4%.

What is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation win rate in Bullet?

In Bullet games, the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation has a 51.0% (90% CI: 50.8%-51.3%) win rate for white (108K Lichess games). Draw rate is 4.3%.

What is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation win rate in Blitz?

In Blitz games, the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation has a 50.6% (90% CI: 50.5%-50.8%) win rate for white (255K Lichess games). Draw rate is 5.8%.

What is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation win rate in Rapid?

In Rapid games, the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation has a 49.1% (90% CI: 48.7%-49.4%) win rate for white (45K Lichess games). Draw rate is 7.0%.

What is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation win rate in Classical?

In Classical games, the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation has a 45.5% (90% CI: 43.9%-47.1%) win rate for white (2.6K Lichess games). Draw rate is 11.2%.

Is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation a good opening?

The Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation is statistically favors white with a 50.5% (90% CI: 50.4%-50.6%) win rate across all ratings. It performs best at 1000-1199 Elo. Your results depend on your rating, time control, and how well you know the typical plans.