Current position
Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Modern Exchange Variation
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 1 playable continuation to walk from here.
Root edges show how often each move is played around your Elo. Use the arrow on a position to reveal the next replies.
Current setup
Move ideas
Takes central space with a protected pawn and frees the queen’s bishop.
Idea: Build a stable center that supports a broad positional setup.
Develops a knight and prevents White from occupying e4 unchallenged.
Idea: Keep the central pawns flexible and choose an Indian setup after White commits.
Develops the knight to f3, bringing it into the game.
Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.
Advances the g-pawn to gain kingside space and control new squares.
Idea: Create useful wing space while keeping the central structure flexible.
Advances the c-pawn to gain queenside space and control new squares.
Idea: Create useful wing space while keeping the central structure flexible.
Develops the bishop to g7, bringing it into the game.
Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.
Develops the knight to c3, bringing it into the game.
Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.
Advances to d5 to claim central space and control nearby key squares.
Idea: Give the pieces room to develop behind a durable central foothold.
Captures the pawn on d5 and changes the local pawn or piece balance.
Idea: Open lines in the center and reshape the center for the next phase.
Captures the pawn on d5 and changes the local pawn or piece balance.
Idea: Remove an active defender and improve the moving piece’s influence.
Advances to e4 to claim central space and control nearby key squares.
Idea: Give the pieces room to develop behind a durable central foothold.
Captures the knight on c3 and changes the local pawn or piece balance.
Idea: Remove an active defender and improve the moving piece’s influence.
Captures the knight on c3 and changes the local pawn or piece balance.
Idea: Open lines in the queenside and reshape the center for the next phase.
Waiting for Lichess game popularity.
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.
ECO groups openings by the structures they lead to, so these families tend to share plans with the East Indian Defense.