Opening Overview

Old Indian Defense

14 lines
black repertoire

About This Opening

Black adopts a solid kingside fianchetto setup and keeps central tension under control.

The opening usually invites White to occupy space, then challenges that center with piece pressure, pawn breaks, and flexible development.

In practice, the key is to know when to strike at the center and when to keep pieces flexible, because the wrong timing can leave the position passive.

Key ideas
  • Typical theme: pressure on the center rather than immediate occupation.
  • Common plans include fianchetto setups and timely pawn breaks.
  • Best for players who like asymmetry and counterplay.
  • Study the transition from setup to active central challenge.

Choose a variation

Old Indian Defense
A41 3 plies
1. d4 d6 2. c4
Old Indian Defense
A53 4 plies
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6
Old Indian Defense: Aged Gibbon Gambit
A53 5 plies
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. g4
Old Indian Defense: Czech Variation, with Nc3
A53 6 plies
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nc3 c6
Old Indian Defense: Czech Variation, with Nf3
A53 6 plies
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nf3 c6
Old Indian Defense: Janowski Variation
A53 6 plies
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nc3 Bf5
Old Indian Defense: Janowski Variation, Fianchetto Variation
A53 7 plies
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nc3 Bf5 4. g3
Old Indian Defense: Janowski Variation, Grinberg Gambit
A53 7 plies
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nc3 Bf5 4. e4
Old Indian Defense: Janowski Variation, Main Line
A53 7 plies
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nc3 Bf5 4. f3
Old Indian Defense: Duz-Khotimirsky Variation
A54 9 plies
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nc3 e5 4. e3 Nbd7 5. Bd3
Old Indian Defense: Tartakower-Indian
A54 6 plies
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nf3 Bg4
Old Indian Defense: Two Knights Variation
A54 7 plies
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nc3 e5 4. Nf3
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