Flank openings

East Indian Defense

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6

The East Indian Defense starts with 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 and is catalogued under ECO A48, in the flank openings half of the book. The catalog indexes 1 line inside it, grouped into 1 named variation, and the position after those moves has 6 playable continuations to walk from here.

Opening repertoire map

Root edges show how often each move is played around your Elo. Use the arrow on a position to reveal the next replies.

Current position
East Indian Defense
Popularity by Elo
Share of Lichess blitz, rapid, and classical games that continued with each move.
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Current setup

Move ideas

  1. 1.d4

    Takes central space with a protected pawn and frees the queen’s bishop.

    Idea: Build a stable center that supports a broad positional setup.

  2. 1…Nf6

    Develops a knight and prevents White from occupying e4 unchallenged.

    Idea: Keep the central pawns flexible and choose an Indian setup after White commits.

  3. 2.Nf3

    Develops the knight to f3, bringing it into the game.

    Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.

  4. 2…g6

    Advances the g-pawn to gain kingside space and control new squares.

    Idea: Create useful wing space while keeping the central structure flexible.

Book continuations

Waiting for Lichess game popularity.

6 moves
c4King's Indian Defense: Normal Variation, King's Knight Variation5 named lines · Neo-Grünfeld Defense: Delayed Exchange Variation · Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Modern Exchange VariationAdvances the c-pawn to gain queenside space and control new squares.Idea: Create useful wing space while keeping the central structure flexible.g3Indian Defense: Przepiorka Variation4 named lines · Neo-Grünfeld Defense: Classical Variation · Neo-Grünfeld Defense: Classical Variation, Modern DefenseAdvances the g-pawn to gain kingside space and control new squares.Idea: Create useful wing space while keeping the central structure flexible.Bf4London System3 named lines · London System, with Bd3 · London System, with Be2Develops the bishop to f4, bringing it into the game.Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.Bg5Torre Attack: Fianchetto Defense3 named lines · Torre Attack: Fianchetto Defense, Euwe Variation · Queen's Pawn Game: Torre Attack, Grünfeld Variation, Main LineDevelops the bishop to g5, bringing it into the game.Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.Nc3East Indian Defense3 named lines · Queen's Pawn Game: Barry Attack · Queen's Pawn Game: Barry Attack, Tarzan AttackDevelops the knight to c3, bringing it into the game.Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.e3East Indian Defense1 named line · Indian Defense: Colle System, King's Indian VariationAdvances to e3 to claim central space and control nearby key squares.Idea: Give the pieces room to develop behind a durable central foothold.

Named variations

Each line below is an indexed entry under East Indian Defense. Open one to load it on the board and keep exploring from that position.

Openings from the same volume

ECO groups openings by the structures they lead to, so these families tend to share plans with the East Indian Defense.