Indian Game
1.d4 Nf6
The Indian Game is the all-encompassing name for several popular
chess openings that begin with the moves 1.d4 Nf6. The move 1...Nf6
is Black's main alternative to the symmetrical 1...d5 when facing 1.d4
from White. Instead of committing a central pawn on the first move,
Black instead develops a piece and maintains flexibility.
King's Indian Defense
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6
The King's Indian Defense is a hypermodern aggressive opening for
Black as a response for 1.d4. Following hypermodern principles, Black
allows White to build a strong pawn center to later counter-attack it.
A sharp opening, the King's Indian is not be the best choice for
beginners. However, a number of strong grandmasters like Bobby
Fischer and Garry Kasparov consistently employed this opening when
fighting for a win with the black pieces.
Starting Position
The King's Indian Defense arises after the moves 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6.
Like in other hypermodern openings, Black doesn't try to control the
center with pawns. Instead, the idea is to let White build a strong
pawn center and then counter-attack it using pieces and pawns.
The
starting position of the King's Indian Defense.
The King's Indian leads to unbalanced positions where Black tries to
fight for an advantage instead of equality. For this reason, it's also a
risky opening which usually leads to White having an edge when
playing accurately. However, it's also more difficult for White to play
for a draw, which tends to lead to more decisive games.
Pros
Sharp opening
Leads to fascinating positions
Black often gets attack against the white king
Cons
White usually gets a space advantage
White typically builds considerable pressure on the queenside
There are decent responses for every style of player
Variations
The theory on the King's Indian is extensive, with many different lines
that are popular among top players.
Main Line
The main line of the King's Indian sees White building a strong pawn
center and Black playing the thematic central pawn break with 6...e5.
Black will usually play for checkmate with a kingside attack, while
White will likely counter-attack the queenside.
Four Pawns Attack
The Four Pawns Attack was considered one of the best responses of
the King's Indian for years. White accepts Black's challenge and takes
the whole center with pawns on c4, d4, e4, and f4. White can then go
for a sharp game or try to create a bind. However, the current theory
states that White's immense pawn center is slightly flimsy and can be
a liability.
How To Play Against The King's Indian Defense
White's score is usually favorable against the King's Indian Defense.
Black's attempt to create an unbalanced position to fight for the
advantage can backfire, and statistics show that the well-prepared
White player will usually win or draw the game. Below are the
variations that have been played numerous times by masters and
score well against the King's Indian:
Main Line
If you study the main line of the King's Indian for White, you're likely
to enjoy considerable success against it. Of the more than 54,000
games in our masters database following the main line, White wins
42%, draws 30%, and loses merely 28%. As stated above, the main
line goes 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 O-O 6.Be2.
Makogonov Variation
If you'd like to try to surprise your opponent with a sideline, you
might want to consider the Makogonov Variation. This variation is
gaining popularity among super grandmasters as a way of fighting the
King's Indian. With close to 5,000 games in our masters database,
White won 51% of the games, drew 24%, and lost only 25%.
With 5.h3, White wants to make the g2-g4 push to stop Black's
thematic plan of playing f7-f5. The h3-pawn also stops Black from
playing Ng4, allowing White to develop their dark-squared bishop to
d3 safely.
Nimzo-Indian Defense
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4
The Nimzo-Indian Defense (often called "the Nimzo" for short) is
considered one of Black's best responses to White's 1.d4 opener.
Black often gives up the bishop pair, but in exchange receives the
better pawn structure and easy development. Black will also try to
keep the position closed, while White seeks to open up the center for
the two bishops.
Starting Position
The Nimzo-Indian Defense appears after the moves 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6
3.Nc3 Bb4. Black pins the white knight to the king, helping to control
the e4 square.
Pros
Positionally sound
Leads to rich positions
Black develops rapidly
Cons
White might get the two bishops
White can try to conquer the center
Variations
White has tried several fourth moves against the Nimzo-Indian over
the years. No fewer than nine of them have appeared at least 700
times in master play, and seven of them at least 1800 times. Two
have become particularly popular, with over 25,000 appearances. No
matter which of the top nine fourth moves White chooses, however,
White wins only between 34 and 37% of games. No wonder the
opening is considered so strong for Black.
White's options against the Nimzo can be dizzying. We'll break down
each of them below.
Most variations revolve around two key, intertwined questions: Will
Black exchange bishop for knight on c3, and if so, will White
recapture with a piece or accept doubled pawns and retake with
bxc3?
Rubinstein Variation
In the most common continuation, White begins to develop the
kingside with 4.e3, admitting that the pawn won't reach e4 any time
soon. White has the option to play 5.Ne2 and recapture on c3 with
the knight. If White is more concerned about development than
pawn structure, 5.Bd3 will be played before the knight moves, giving
Black an extra opportunity to double up White's pawns.
Classical Variation
Almost as popular as the Rubinstein, White immediately sidesteps
the prospect of doubled pawns with 4.Qc2 in what is usually known
as the Classical Variation, and sometimes the Capablanca Variation
after the Cuban world champion, Jose Raul Capablanca. The intent of
this move is best demonstrated by the most common
continuation, 4...O-O 5.a3 Bxc3 6.Qxc3.
Three Knights Variation
In the aptly-named Three Knights, White plays the third knight move
of the game (counting both sides) with 4.Nf3. GM Garry Kasparov
used it extensively to win the world championship from GM Anatoly
Karpov in 1985, scoring +3 =3 in six tries during the match, with
another win early in their 1986 rematch, and so it is sometimes
referred to as the Kasparov Variation.
If Black makes the most popular reply, 4...d5, the game has
transposed into the Ragozin Variation of the Queen's Gambit.
Kmoch Variation
In the Kmoch Variation, 4.f3, White insists on trying to play the e-
pawn two squares forward instead of one. The Kmoch usually
transposes into a form of the Samisch (below) after the typical
continuation 4...d5 (stopping 5.e4) 5.a3.
Samisch Variation
The Samisch, 4.a3 by White, not only makes no effort to avoid
doubled pawns, but actively encourages the continuation 4...Bxc3
5.bxc3. It's not the most popular variation because White often loses
the c4-pawn by force, and the move 4.a3 does nothing to help
White's development or position in the center. However, the Samisch
remains perhaps the most important variation in Nimzo-Indian
opening theory, because it so forcefully creates the two bishops vs.
doubled pawn dynamic.
The standard position of the Samisch variation.
GM Fabien Libiszewski covered the Samisch in this Chess.com Lesson.
Other Fourth Moves For White
4.Bg5, the Leningrad, allows White to play e3 later without blocking
in the dark-squared bishop.
4.g3, the Romanishin-Kasparov. White sometimes fianchettoes in the
Three Knights, which was Kasparov's treatment in the mid-1980s, and
4.g3 can easily transpose to those variations.
4.Bd2 has no unique name, but it is a playable, immediate way to
avoid doubled pawns, albeit rather passive.
4.Qb3, the Spielmann Variation after Austrian master Rudolf
Spielmann, has a similar idea to the Classical Variation, but 4...c5 for
Black protects the bishop and engines already give Black a tiny edge.
Queen's Indian Defense
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6
The Queen's Indian Defense is a hypermodern opening for Black in
response to White's 1.d4. When coupled with the Nimzo-Indian
Defense, Black gets a complete defense against White's queen's
pawn openings. A solid opening, the Queen's Indian is a reputable
option for players who seek a "risk-free" game.
Players of all levels can play the Queen's Indian, although it is
advisable to have a basic understanding of positional concepts before
venturing into this opening. Players seeking to learn the Queen's
Indian from the masters can study the games of none other than
former world champion GM Anatoly Karpov.
Starting Position
The Queen's Indian Defense occurs after the moves 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6
3.Nf3 b6. In hypermodern style, Black refrains from immediately
occupying the center with pawns and instead focuses on piece
development. After White sidesteps the Nimzo-Indian Defense with
3.Nf3, Black plays 3...b6 to either fianchetto the queen's bishop or
develop it to a6.
The
starting position of the Queen's Indian Defense.
Black accepts less space for a solid position that still offers active
chances. Black will usually try to exchange off one or two minor
pieces to attenuate their problems with space. On the other hand,
White can get an advantage if they successfully control the e4-square
without making significant concessions.
Pros
Black avoids creating weaknesses
Black enjoys fluid piece play
It's a flexible opening
Cons
It's hard to play for an advantage as Black
White can maintain a space advantage
Main Variations Queen's Indian Defense
There are many variations of the Queen's Indian Defense. Below you
can see the main lines.
Fianchetto Nimzowitsch Variation
The Fianchetto Nimzowitsch Variation is the most played line of the
Queen's Indian Defense and starts after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6
4.g3 Ba6. Black immediately puts pressure on the c4-pawn with their
bishop. White's best response is to continue with 5.b3 to protect the
pawn, and from there, the game can take many directions.
Kasparov Variation
The Kasparov Variation starts after the moves 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3
b6 4.Nc3. White develops the knight and accepts the possibility of
transposing to the Nimzo-Indian Defense. White can also transpose
into the Petrosian Variation, a strategy that GM Garry Kasparov
himself preferred. If play continues in the Kasparov variation, players
usually reach drawish positions with no weaknesses on either side.
Catalan Opening
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3
The Catalan Opening is a 1.d4 opening where White seeks to
combine the kingside fianchetto with pawns on d4/c4. Instead of a
direct kingside attack, White will aim for long-term positional
pressure in the center and on Black's queenside. These positions can
lead to small and nagging edges with very technical endgames.
Starting Position
The Catalan usually begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 but other move
orders are possible, for example 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.g3. The
main idea is White fianchettoing on the kingside after playing the
standard queen pawn opening moves d4 and c4, while Black
plays ...e6. If Black instead also fianchettoes the kingside bishop, it's
a King's Indian Defense.
Pros
Positionally subtle
Can lead to long-term pressure
Cons
The c4 pawn can be vulnerable
Requires advanced technical abilities to win with small
advantages
Variations
There are three main ways for Black to meet the Catalan:
playing ...dxc4 (Open Catalan), reinforcing the d5-pawn with ...c6
(Closed Catalan), or avoiding it altogether by delaying or
avoiding ...d5, usually with an early ...c5 instead.
Open Catalan
Black opens the diagonal for White's g2-bishop. In some cases, White
can regain the pawn by playing Qa4+ and Qxc4 before Black castles,
but sometimes not. White must be prepared to treat the opening as
a positional gambit (like the Benko for Black), trying to put pressure
down the h1-a8 diagonal, as in this uncommon line that nonetheless
appeared in the 2021 World Championship:
If the pawn is not kept, Black must find a way to fight on the
diagonal, as in this line:
Closed Catalan
When Black does not play ...dxc4, and instead secures the d-pawn
with ...c6, it is the Closed Catalan. The traditional line, which is still
the most common, goes:
Black simply blunts the a8-h1 diagonal that White has hoped to gain
an advantage by controlling. Like most games with a closed center,
the opening often turns into a slow, maneuvering middlegame.
Anti-Catalans
Using the 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 move order as the baseline, the
nomenclature of what is considered the Catalan is such that Black
can avoid the opening with any number of moves early on. For
example, 3...c5 will usually transpose into either the Benoni or a
variation of the English Opening. Black's other alternative, 3...Bb4+,
comes closer to a Bogo-Indian than a Catalan, especially given the
typical development of White's g1-knight to f3 in either
opening. Black is also under no obligation to play 2...e6, avoiding the
Catalan before it even gets started; most notably, 2...g6 3.g3 would
produce a variation of the King's Indian.
Black has options on move three.
As advantageous as the Catalan can be for White, White must be
prepared to face all of these alternatives. Otherwise, the game can
steer into a direction more favorable for Black.
