Chessy
Indian Defense: Anti-Nimzo-Indian — Play It as White
After 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3, you have chosen a move order that avoids the Nimzo-Indian and keeps the game flexible. The position is a small plus for White, so you are not trying to prove a knockout — you are trying to keep a healthy grip on the centre and make Black commit. In the drill below, practise meeting Black’s most common replies and learn where the engine wants the play to go when the position is still fresh.
Play the Indian Defense: Anti-Nimzo-Indian against the engine
Free, no signup — you play white, the engine adapts to your level.
Play the drill now and practise the key replies against Black’s most common moves. Create a free account to track your progress and come back whenever you want.
Create a free account →What this opening is really about
The Anti-Nimzo-Indian is a practical White choice. By playing Nf3 here, you stay out of the immediate Nimzo-Indian pin and keep more options for your pieces. The position is already slightly better for White, but only slightly, so your job is to keep the position stable and use good development rather than chasing tactics that are not there. If you like steady openings with a clear strategic shape, this is a sensible one to know.
The engine’s main idea
Stockfish rates this +0.38, a small edge for White. That means you stand a little better, but you still need accurate play to keep the advantage. The engine’s best move is d5, continuing d5 Bg5 h6 Bxf6. In practice, that tells you the most important thing: be ready for Black to challenge the centre, and respond with active piece play rather than passive moves.
What the database says to expect
This exact position has been reached in 2,892,104 games in the Lichess database, so there is plenty of real-game experience behind it. White wins 50.7%, draws 4.2%, and Black wins 45.0%. The score is workable for White, but it is not the kind of opening where one mistake is automatically fatal for Black. Your goal is to steer the game into positions where your slight edge can be kept and slowly expanded.
The replies you will see most often
Black has several common choices from here, and the drill helps you meet them without hesitation:
- d5 — 1,214,648 games, White scores 50.2%
- Bb4+ — 539,132 games, White scores 51.3%
- b6 — 361,015 games, White scores 48.7%
- c5 — 307,933 games, White scores 49.8%
- Be7 — 161,486 games, White scores 52.0%
- c6 — 69,078 games, White scores 53.0%
The important lesson is not memorising a long script. It is recognising these replies quickly and keeping your opening principles intact: develop smoothly, watch the centre, and stay ready to meet Black’s counterplay.
Results across 2,892,104 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| d5 | 1,214,648 | 50.2% |
| Bb4+ | 539,132 | 51.3% |
| b6 | 361,015 | 48.7% |
| c5 | 307,933 | 49.8% |
| Be7 | 161,486 | 52.0% |
| c6 | 69,078 | 53.0% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Indian Defense: Anti-Nimzo-Indian good for White?
Yes, the position is a small edge for White. Stockfish gives +0.38, so you are a little better, but not enough to relax. It is a practical opening if you want a sound position with room to outplay Black.
What is the main idea after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3?
You keep the position flexible and avoid the immediate Nimzo-Indian. That lets you develop naturally while staying ready for Black’s most common replies such as d5, Bb4+, and c5. The aim is steady control rather than forcing tactics.
What is the engine’s best move in this position?
The engine’s best move is d5. The listed continuation is d5 Bg5 h6 Bxf6, which shows that the centre and piece activity matter more than quick attacks. In the drill, focus on reacting cleanly when Black takes space in the middle.
Which Black reply should I prepare first?
d5 is the most-played continuation, with 1,214,648 games. Bb4+ is also very common, and b6, c5, Be7, and c6 appear often enough to matter. The drill is built to help you recognise these moves and choose sensible responses.
How many games feature the Indian Defense: Anti-Nimzo-Indian?
Over 3 million Lichess games have reached the Indian Defense: Anti-Nimzo-Indian position. White wins 50.7%, Black wins 45.0%, with 4.2% draws — based on real rated games.