Old Indian Defence

Play as BlackDefence

A solid set-up where Black keeps a strong pawn on e5.

The main line, move by move

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nc3 Nbd7 4. e4 e5 5. Nf3 Be7 6. Be2 O-O 7. O-O c6

1. 1. d4 — Claim the center with the queen pawn and open lines for the queen and bishop.
2. 1... Nf6 — Brings the knight into the game.
3. 2. c4 — Gain space and put pressure on the d5 square.
4. 2... d6 — Prepare ...e5 and keep the position solid.
5. 3. Nc3 — Brings the knight into the game.
6. 3... Nbd7 — Brings the knight into the game.
7. 4. e4 — Build a big center.
8. 4... e5 — Strike at the white center.
9. 5. Nf3 — Brings the knight into the game.
10. 5... Be7 — Brings the bishop into the game.
11. 6. Be2 — Brings the bishop into the game.
12. 6... O-O — Castle: your king gets safe and a rook joins the game.
13. 7. O-O — Castle: your king gets safe and a rook joins the game.
14. 7... c6 — Prepare a flexible set-up with ...Qc7 or ...Qb6.

Related openings

• Sicilian Defense (Najdorf)
• French Defense
• Caro-Kann Defense
• Scandinavian Defense
• Pirc Defense

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