Chessy
Indian Defense: Anti-Nimzo-Indian Bb4+ — A Small Edge for You
After 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3, Black springs the check 3...Bb4+ — a move that invites you into the Anti-Nimzo-Indian. Instead of blocking with a bishop or knight that might later get kicked around, the solid choice is 4.Nbd2, covering the check while developing a piece. The engine rates this position at +0.44, a small but clear edge for White. That means you are already slightly better — now the question is how to keep that edge against Black's most popular replies. Scroll down to play the interactive drill and test yourself against the position.
Play the Indian Defense: Anti-Nimzo-Indian: Bb4+ against the engine
Free, no signup — you play white, the engine adapts to your level.
Now it's your turn. Play through the position right here — the engine will adapt to your moves and show you whether you're keeping that +0.44 edge. Try it free.
Create a free account →What You're Fighting For
The check 3...Bb4+ tries to lure your bishop to d2 (where Black can trade it off) or force an awkward block with your knight on d2 that doesn't help development. By playing 4.Nbd2, you avoid both traps: you develop the knight to a natural square, keep your c1-bishop free, and maintain the pawn centre with d4 and c4. Your long-term goal is simple: finish development, control the centre, and exploit the fact that Black's bishop on b4 is slightly misplaced — it can become a target after a timely a3.
The Engine's Top Choice: Black Castles
In this position, Stockfish's best move for Black is O-O (castling kingside). After 4...O-O, the engine recommends you reply 5.a3, forcing Black to decide what to do with the bishop. The most common follow-up is 5...Be7, getting out of the way, and then 6.e4 — a powerful central push. If Black instead trades on d2 with 5...Bxd2+, you recapture with the queen (6.Qxd2) and still have a pleasant position with more space and piece activity. Across 14,243 games where Black played 4...O-O, you score a healthy 54.6% as White.
What the Numbers Tell You
The stats from over 41,000 games are encouraging. Here is your winning percentage against each of Black's most frequent replies: - 4...Ne4: 56.9% — Black's most aggressive try actually scores worst for them. - 4...Bxd2+: 57.7% — when Black trades bishop for knight early, you win nearly 58% of the time. - 4...d5: 55.1% — the central challenge is still in your favour. - 4...O-O: 54.6% — the most popular move, and you still come out ahead. - 4...c5: 54.0% — Black attacks your centre, but you hold a slight edge. - 4...b6: 52.2% — even Black's quieter setups leave you with a plus. No matter which path Black chooses, you are the one pressing.
The Most Common Mistake to Avoid
When Black plays the aggressive 4...Ne4, your natural instinct might be to panic or lash out. Don't. This move actually gives you your highest scoring chance (56.9%). The key is to stay calm — develop naturally, don't rush to kick the knight away with a premature g3 or f3 that weakens your kingside. Keep building your centre and castling. The knight on e4 looks active but can become a target if you play accurately. Trust your small advantage and let Black's overextension become a problem for them.
Results across 41,101 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| O-O | 14,243 | 54.6% |
| d5 | 6,162 | 55.1% |
| c5 | 5,118 | 54.0% |
| Ne4 | 4,714 | 56.9% |
| b6 | 3,565 | 52.2% |
| Bxd2+ | 2,968 | 57.7% |
Frequently asked questions
Should I block the check with Bd2 or Nbd2?
Play 4.Nbd2. Blocking with 4.Bd2 would allow Black to trade bishop for bishop and possibly double your c-pawn after Bxd2+ Qxd2. The knight move 4.Nbd2 develops a piece, protects the pawn on c4, and keeps your bishop pair intact — all while giving you a comfortable +0.44 edge.
What do I do if Black plays 4...d5?
Black's 4...d5 challenges your centre directly. You can handle it the same way you handle 4...O-O — develop, keep the tension, and look to play e4 at the right moment. The statistics show you score 55.1% in this line, so you are well within your comfort zone. Just don't rush to resolve the central pawn structure until all your pieces are developed.
Is 4...Bxd2+ good for White?
Yes, very good. When Black trades bishop for knight on d2, you recapture with the queen and gain the bishop pair while Black has lost their strong b4-bishop. White scores 57.7% after this trade — your highest winning percentage against any reply. You get a smooth game with no weaknesses and two bishops against a bishop and knight.
What is the main plan after 5.a3 Be7?
Push e4 to take control of the centre. Your ideal setup is a pawn on e4 supported by the d4 pawn, your knights on f3 and d2 (or later f3 from d2), bishops on the long diagonals, and your king castled kingside. Don't play e4 too early without development — make sure your pieces are ready first.
How many games feature the Indian Defense: Anti-Nimzo-Indian: Bb4+?
Over 41K Lichess games have reached the Indian Defense: Anti-Nimzo-Indian: Bb4+ position. White wins 55.0%, Black wins 41.2%, with 3.8% draws — based on real rated games.