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Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Bernstein Defense

6.2K games from Lichess · Updated January 2026

Playable
White Expected Score52.6%Range (90% confident): 51.5% – 53.6%Based on 6.2K games
0%52.6%100%
Range (90% confident): 51.5% – 53.6%
Outcome Distribution
49.7%5.8%44.6%
Win
Draw
Loss
11.Qc2
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Bernstein Defense
Analyzen=6.2K
Avg Length37 moves
Sharpness94%
Draw Rate5.8%

What is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Bernstein Defense expected score for White?

Snapshot

At all ratings, the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Bernstein Defense has a 52.6% expected score for White (we're 90% confident it's between 51.5% and 53.6%), based on 6.2K Lichess games.

White Win% by Rating

Improves with rating: 14% → 51%

0
1000
1200
1400
1600
1800
2000
2200
2500+

  • 0-999: 14.3% win rate (2 games)
  • 1000-1199: 36.8% win rate (8 games)
  • 1200-1399: 51.5% win rate (48 games)
  • 1400-1599: 53.8% win rate (150 games)
  • 1600-1799: 49.3% win rate (549 games)
  • 1800-1999: 49.9% win rate (1,214 games)
  • 2000-2199: 50.2% win rate (1,860 games)
  • 2200-2499: 48.4% win rate (1,943 games)
  • 2500+: 51.3% win rate (473 games)

White Win% by Time Control

Best in Blitz (50%), worst in Classical (40%)

Bullet
Blitz
Rapid
Classical

  • Bullet: 49.7% win rate (1,453 games)
  • Blitz: 50.2% win rate (4,255 games)
  • Rapid: 45.7% win rate (509 games)
  • Classical: 39.7% win rate (30 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, Blitz: 30.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 0-999 rating, Rapid: 30.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Bullet: 36.7% expected score (6 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Blitz: 50.0% expected score (2 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Bullet: 52.2% expected score (21 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Blitz: 56.7% expected score (21 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Rapid: 34.7% expected score (5 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Classical: 70.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Bullet: 61.9% expected score (66 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Blitz: 50.7% expected score (73 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Rapid: 45.3% expected score (9 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Classical: 64.3% expected score (2 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Bullet: 48.5% expected score (128 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Blitz: 53.3% expected score (376 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Rapid: 47.8% expected score (44 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Classical: 30.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Bullet: 48.0% expected score (248 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Blitz: 55.2% expected score (834 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Rapid: 42.4% expected score (124 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Classical: 34.2% expected score (8 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Bullet: 53.2% expected score (378 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Blitz: 52.6% expected score (1,279 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Rapid: 56.7% expected score (194 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Classical: 50.0% expected score (9 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Bullet: 49.3% expected score (393 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Blitz: 52.4% expected score (1,429 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Rapid: 48.3% expected score (114 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Classical: 61.8% expected score (7 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Bullet: 56.1% expected score (213 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Blitz: 55.6% expected score (240 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Rapid: 57.7% expected score (18 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Classical: 21.5% expected score (2 games)

Related Openings

Parent
Nimzo-Indian Defense
48.4%
Variations (5)
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation
50.5%
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%
Continuations (1)
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Bernstein Defense, Exchange Line
49.0%
Analyze Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Bernstein Defense PositionsGet move-by-move win rates with the TrueElo analyzer

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Bernstein Defense win rate?

The Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Bernstein Defense has a 49.7% (90% CI: 48.6%-50.7%) win rate for white, based on 6.2K rated games from Lichess.

At what rating does the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Bernstein Defense perform best?

The Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Bernstein Defense performs best at 2000-2199 Elo with a 50.2% win rate for white (1.9K games). Win rate tends to decline at higher ratings as opponents know the theory better.

Is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Bernstein Defense better in blitz or rapid?

Blitz (50.2%) outperforms Rapid (45.7%) by 4.5%. Choose your time control wisely.

How sharp is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Bernstein Defense?

The Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Bernstein Defense has a sharpness score of 94.2 (decisive), meaning 94.2% of games end decisively. Average game length is 37 moves.

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

At 1400-1599 Elo, the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Bernstein Defense has a 53.8% (90% CI: 47.1%-60.4%) win rate for white, based on 150 Lichess games. Average game length is 30 moves with a 3.6% draw rate.

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

At 1600-1799 Elo, the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Bernstein Defense has a 49.3% (90% CI: 45.8%-52.8%) win rate for white, based on 549 Lichess games. Average game length is 34 moves with a 4.6% draw rate.

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

At 1800-1999 Elo, the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Bernstein Defense has a 49.9% (90% CI: 47.5%-52.3%) win rate for white, based on 1.2K Lichess games. Average game length is 35 moves with a 4.7% draw rate.

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

At 2000-2199 Elo, the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Bernstein Defense has a 50.2% (90% CI: 48.3%-52.1%) win rate for white, based on 1.9K Lichess games. Average game length is 37 moves with a 5.9% draw rate.

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

At 2200-2499 Elo, the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Bernstein Defense has a 48.4% (90% CI: 46.5%-50.2%) win rate for white, based on 1.9K Lichess games. Average game length is 39 moves with a 6.3% draw rate.

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

At 2500+ Elo, the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Bernstein Defense has a 51.3% (90% CI: 47.5%-55.1%) win rate for white, based on 473 Lichess games. Average game length is 42 moves with a 8.7% draw rate.

What is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Bernstein Defense win rate in Bullet?

In Bullet games, the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Bernstein Defense has a 49.7% (90% CI: 47.5%-51.8%) win rate for white (1.5K Lichess games). Draw rate is 3.7%.

What is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Bernstein Defense win rate in Blitz?

In Blitz games, the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Bernstein Defense has a 50.2% (90% CI: 48.9%-51.5%) win rate for white (4.3K Lichess games). Draw rate is 6.1%.

What is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Bernstein Defense win rate in Rapid?

In Rapid games, the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Bernstein Defense has a 45.7% (90% CI: 42.1%-49.4%) win rate for white (509 Lichess games). Draw rate is 8.5%.

Is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Bernstein Defense a good opening?

The Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Bernstein Defense is statistically balanced with a 49.7% (90% CI: 48.6%-50.7%) 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.