Indian Defence

This move keeps White's options open: they can first see how Black intends to play before deciding on a response. If, for example, White likes to play against the King's Indian defence with c4, but wants to avoid lines involving c4 and ...e6, they can lead with 2. Nf3 and answer 2...g6 with 3. c4 but 2...e6 with (e.g.) 3. Bg5.

This position is also often reached via the move order 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.d4.

Black now makes a decision as to which way they intend to develop their bishop(s). Then, White chooses which line they would like to play, generally from the options 3. c4, 3. g3 (preparing to fianchetto), 3. Bg5 or 3. Bf4, or 3. e3.

2...g6 is the most common move. Black prepares to fianchetto their kingside bishop and play in a King's Indian or Grünfeld style. White can transpose into a King's Indian with 3. c4, but other plans include 3. g3, the Przepiorka variation, 3. Bg5, the Torre attack, or 3. Bf4, the London system.

2...e6 and Black prepares to deploy their bishop on the a2-f8 diagonal. White has the usual options of 3. c4, 3. g3, 3. Bg5 or 3. Bf4. 3. e3, like the Colle, is called the Yusupov-Rubinstein system.

2...b6, the Pseudo-Queens Indian defence, and 2...d6, the Wade-Tartakower defence, make a decision about Black's queenside bishop instead.

Alternatively, Black can still play a pawn in the centre.

If Black plays 2...d5 after all, the third most common move, White has the option to transpose into a Queen's gambit.

2...c5, the Spielmann-Indian, resembles the Benoni defence (1. d4 c5). White usually pushes the d pawn to d5 save it or defends it with c3 or e3.

• 2...c6, the Czech-Indian, usually reaches a Slav-style set-up. 3. c4 d5.
• 2...b5!?, the Polish variation, looks to prevent c4 while preparing ...Bb7.
• 2...Ne4!? is called the Döry defence.

For explanation of theory tables, see theory table and for notation, see algebraic notation..

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3

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Wikipedia has related information at Indian Defence

• Kasparov, Garry, & Keene, Raymond 1989 Batsford chess openings 2. ISBN 0-8050-3409-9.