Flank openings

Indian Defense

1.d4 Nf6

The Indian Defense starts with 1.d4 Nf6 and is catalogued under ECO A45, in the flank openings half of the book. The catalog indexes 53 lines inside it, grouped into 52 named variations, and the position after those moves has 10 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
Indian Defense: Normal Variation
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.c4

    Advances the c-pawn to gain queenside space and control new squares.

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

Book continuations

Waiting for Lichess game popularity.

10 moves
e6Indian Defense: Normal Variation214 named lines · Benoni Defense · Indian DefenseAdvances to e6 to claim central space and control nearby key squares.Idea: Give the pieces room to develop behind a durable central foothold.g6Indian Defense: West Indian Defense170 named lines · Grünfeld Defense · King's Indian DefenseAdvances the g-pawn to gain kingside space and control new squares.Idea: Create useful wing space while keeping the central structure flexible.c5Benoni Defense45 named lines · Benko Gambit · Vulture DefenseAdvances the c-pawn to gain queenside space and control new squares.Idea: Create useful wing space while keeping the central structure flexible.d6Old Indian Defense14 named lines · Old Indian Defense: Normal Variation · Old Indian Defense: Tartakower-IndianAdvances to d6 to claim central space and control nearby key squares.Idea: Give the pieces room to develop behind a durable central foothold.e5Indian Defense: Budapest Gambit11 named lines · Indian Defense: Budapest Gambit Accepted · Indian Defense: Budapest Gambit Accepted, Main LineAdvances to e5 to claim central space and control nearby key squares.Idea: Give the pieces room to develop behind a durable central foothold.Nc6Mexican Defense2 named lines · Mexican Defense: Horsefly GambitDevelops the knight to c6, bringing it into the game.Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.b5Indian Defense: Pyrenees Gambit1 named lineAdvances the b-pawn to gain queenside space and control new squares.Idea: Prepare a fianchetto or discourage the opponent’s expansion on that wing.b6Queen's Indian Accelerated1 named lineAdvances the b-pawn to gain queenside space and control new squares.Idea: Create useful wing space while keeping the central structure flexible.c6Slav Indian1 named lineAdvances the c-pawn to gain queenside space and control new squares.Idea: Create useful wing space while keeping the central structure flexible.g5Indian Defense: Medusa Gambit1 named lineAdvances the g-pawn to gain kingside space and control new squares.Idea: Prepare a fianchetto or discourage the opponent’s expansion on that wing.

Named variations

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

28 more named lines sit inside this family — the tree above walks all of them.

Openings from the same volume

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