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Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Berlin Variation, Steiner Variation

698 games from Lichess · Updated January 2026

Tough Sell
Black Expected Score50.5%Range (90% confident): 47.4% – 53.6%Based on 698 games
0%50.5%100%
Range (90% confident): 47.4% – 53.6%
Outcome Distribution
47.2%6.5%46.2%
Win
Draw
Loss
5...Bxc3+
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Berlin Variation, Steiner Variation
Analyzen=698
Avg Length37 moves
Sharpness94%
Draw Rate6.5%

What is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Berlin Variation, Steiner Variation expected score for Black?

Snapshot

At all ratings, the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Berlin Variation, Steiner Variation has a 50.5% expected score for Black (we're 90% confident it's between 47.4% and 53.6%), based on 698 Lichess games.

Extra Analysis

Deep-dive datasets for this opening

Traps & Chaos

Complexity: 90.2 · Trap factor: +11.2 · n=698

Black Win% by Rating

Improves with rating: 20% → 43%

1000
1200
1400
1600
1800
2000
2200
2500+

  • 1000-1199: 20.0% win rate (1 games)
  • 1200-1399: 71.4% win rate (2 games)
  • 1400-1599: 51.4% win rate (17 games)
  • 1600-1799: 33.3% win rate (42 games)
  • 1800-1999: 49.5% win rate (165 games)
  • 2000-2199: 44.6% win rate (262 games)
  • 2200-2499: 52.6% win rate (161 games)
  • 2500+: 43.4% win rate (48 games)

Black Win% by Time Control

Best in Classical (71%), worst in Blitz (46%)

Bullet
Blitz
Rapid
Classical

  • Bullet: 48.1% win rate (174 games)
  • Blitz: 45.5% win rate (433 games)
  • Rapid: 52.5% win rate (89 games)
  • Classical: 71.4% win rate (2 games)

Black% 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

  • 1000-1199 rating, Bullet: 30.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Blitz: 70.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Rapid: 70.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Bullet: 59.1% expected score (4 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Blitz: 50.0% expected score (12 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Rapid: 70.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Bullet: 22.7% expected score (15 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Blitz: 40.7% expected score (20 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Rapid: 50.0% expected score (7 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Bullet: 48.3% expected score (28 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Blitz: 48.6% expected score (107 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Rapid: 65.3% expected score (28 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Classical: 78.6% expected score (2 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Bullet: 60.4% expected score (66 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Blitz: 44.3% expected score (156 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Rapid: 48.8% expected score (40 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Bullet: 48.8% expected score (37 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Blitz: 58.4% expected score (112 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Rapid: 46.3% expected score (12 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Bullet: 54.1% expected score (23 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Blitz: 42.5% expected score (25 games)

Related Openings

Parent
Nimzo-Indian Defense
48.4%
Variations (5)
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Three Knights Variation
50.0%
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Leningrad Variation
48.8%
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation
50.5%
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation
49.5%
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Kmoch Variation
51.8%
Analyze Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Berlin Variation, Steiner Variation PositionsGet move-by-move win rates with the TrueElo analyzer

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Berlin Variation, Steiner Variation has a 46.2% (90% CI: 43.2%-49.4%) win rate for white, based on 698 rated games from Lichess.

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

The Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Berlin Variation, Steiner Variation performs best at 2000-2199 Elo with a 46.5% win rate for white (262 games). Win rate tends to decline at higher ratings as opponents know the theory better.

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

Blitz (47.5%) outperforms Rapid (42.5%) by 5.0%. Choose your time control wisely.

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

The Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Berlin Variation, Steiner Variation has a sharpness score of 93.5 (decisive), meaning 93.5% of games end decisively. Average game length is 37 moves.

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

At 1800-1999 Elo, the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Berlin Variation, Steiner Variation has a 45.3% (90% CI: 39.0%-51.7%) win rate for white, based on 165 Lichess games. Average game length is 36 moves with a 5.1% draw rate.

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

At 2000-2199 Elo, the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Berlin Variation, Steiner Variation has a 46.5% (90% CI: 41.5%-51.6%) win rate for white, based on 262 Lichess games. Average game length is 37 moves with a 8.9% draw rate.

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

At 2200-2499 Elo, the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Berlin Variation, Steiner Variation has a 42.2% (90% CI: 35.9%-48.6%) win rate for white, based on 161 Lichess games. Average game length is 41 moves with a 5.2% draw rate.

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

In Bullet games, the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Berlin Variation, Steiner Variation has a 45.3% (90% CI: 39.2%-51.5%) win rate for white (174 Lichess games). Draw rate is 6.6%.

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

In Blitz games, the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Berlin Variation, Steiner Variation has a 47.5% (90% CI: 43.6%-51.5%) win rate for white (433 Lichess games). Draw rate is 7.0%.

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

The Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Berlin Variation, Steiner Variation is slightly favors black with a 46.2% (90% CI: 43.2%-49.4%) win rate across all ratings. It performs best at 2000-2199 Elo. Your results depend on your rating, time control, and how well you know the typical plans.