Old Indian Defense
What is the Old Indian Defense?
The Old Indian Defense is a chess opening that begins with 1. d4 d6 2. c4. It is classified under ECO A41–A55 and has 14 named variations. White chooses it with the move c4.
Moves: 1. d4 d6 2. c4
ECO: A41–A55
Chosen by: White
Main variations
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. g4
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nc3 c6
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nf3 c6
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nc3 Bf5
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nf3 Bg4
All 14 variations
| ECO | Variation | Moves |
|---|---|---|
| A41 | Main line | 1. d4 d6 2. c4 |
| A53 | Main line | 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 |
| A53 | Aged Gibbon Gambit | 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. g4 |
| A53 | Czech Variation, with Nc3 | 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nc3 c6 |
| A53 | Czech Variation, with Nf3 | 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nf3 c6 |
| A53 | Janowski Variation | 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nc3 Bf5 |
| A54 | Tartakower-Indian | 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nf3 Bg4 |
| A54 | Ukrainian Variation | 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nc3 e5 |
| A53 | Janowski Variation, Fianchetto Variation | 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nc3 Bf5 4. g3 |
| A53 | Janowski Variation, Grinberg Gambit | 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nc3 Bf5 4. e4 |
| A53 | Janowski Variation, Main Line | 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nc3 Bf5 4. f3 |
| A54 | Two Knights Variation | 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nc3 e5 4. Nf3 |
| A54 | Duz-Khotimirsky Variation | 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nc3 e5 4. e3 Nbd7 5. Bd3 |
| A55 | Normal Variation | 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nc3 Nbd7 4. e4 e5 5. Nf3 |
How to learn an opening
Learn the ideas before the moves: where the pieces go, which pawn breaks matter and what the typical middlegame plans are. Then play it, and after each game look up the point where you or your opponent left the known moves. MentoChess shows that point automatically for every game you import.
Opening lessons: Three golden opening rules · Scholar’s mate and how to stop it · Italian Game: plans, not just moves · Answering 1.d4: the Queen’s Gambit Declined · Meeting the Sicilian with 2.c3 · From moves to structures