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ECO A45Semi-closed game

Indian Defense

Let them build a centre; we shall deal with it later

  • Hypermodern

This name covers a whole family of defences that start with 1.d4 Nf6. Black does not hurry to put a pawn in the centre. He presses on it with pieces, and often puts a bishop on a long diagonal. White is allowed to take the centre so that Black can undermine it later. The family includes the King's Indian, Nimzo-Indian, Queen's Indian and many more systems, so there is no single main line.

Interactive Opening Board

5…O-O

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Black
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♔
White
5…O-O
Speed:

Moves

(10 plies • 5 moves)
5…O-OTabiya
  1. 1–5moves
  2. 1.
  3. 2.
  4. 3.
  5. 4.
  6. 5.

Defining move

1…Nf6 — pressure on e4 and d5 without a pawn

The move that opens the whole family of defences

The knight eyes e4 and d5, which makes it harder for White to set pawns on both central squares at once. Black keeps the choice open: …g6, …e6 or …d5, depending on what White does. This flexibility is what sets the Indian defences apart from the direct 1…d5.

Tabiya

A King's Indian set-up: White holds the centre, Black waits

One of the clearest positions of the family, though not the only one. White has pawns on c4, d4 and e4 and a lot of space. Black has castled and the g7 bishop looks down the long diagonal. Next he will undermine the centre with …e5 or …c5 and play with his pieces.

White’s plan

  • Keep the space in the centre and not let it be broken up.
  • Develop and castle, supporting the c4, d4 and e4 pawns.
  • Use the extra room to attack on either wing.

Black’s plan

  • Not rush the centre and bring a bishop to a long diagonal.
  • Undermine White's pawn centre with …e5 or …c5.
  • Play with the pieces and seek counterplay where White has loosened up.

Games in the Atlas

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