Old Indian Defense
ECO A41, A53 · 1. d4 d6 2. c4
The Old Indian Defense, 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 d6, prepares ...e5 without fianchettoing the king's bishop. It is an older, more modest relative of the King's Indian, solid and flexible.
Plans for White
White builds a center with Nc3 and e4, then plays Nf3, Be2 and O-O, often closing the center with d5 or keeping tension. Space is White's main advantage.
Plans for Black
Black plays ...Nbd7, ...e5, ...Be7 and ...c6, sometimes with ...Qc7 and ...a6, aiming for a sturdy position and a later ...exd4 or ...b5 break.
Typical pawn structures
Solid d6/e5 pawns against White's c4, d4 and e4; similar to a Philidor or a King's Indian without the g7 bishop.
Who it suits
Solid players who want to avoid the theoretical King's Indian main lines, are happy to maneuver behind a compact pawn chain, and like keeping options open.
Common traps
Black's position can get cramped if White gains space with d5 and opens the kingside later. Black must also avoid losing time with early queen moves.
Variations
- Old Indian Defense: Janowski Variation — 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nc3 Bf5
- Old Indian Defense: Aged Gibbon Gambit — 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. g4
- Old Indian Defense: Czech Variation, with Nc3 — 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nc3 c6
- Old Indian Defense: Czech Variation, with Nf3 — 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nf3 c6
- Old Indian Defense: Tartakower-Indian — 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nf3 Bg4
- Old Indian Defense: Ukrainian Variation — 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nc3 e5
- Old Indian Defense: Two Knights Variation — 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nc3 e5 4. Nf3
- Old Indian Defense: Duz-Khotimirsky Variation — 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nc3 e5 4. e3 Nbd7 5. Bd3
- Old Indian Defense: Normal Variation — 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nc3 Nbd7 4. e4 e5 5. Nf3