Openings 1.d4 Nf6: Indian defenses
1.d4 Nf6 Indian Defenses: Every Family and Stats by Rating
1...Nf6 stops e4 without committing a pawn, so Black can still choose almost any structure. After 2.c4, Black’s second move picks the family: ...g6 for the King’s Indian or Grünfeld, ...e6 for the Nimzo, Queen’s Indian or Bogo, ...c5 for the Benoni and Benko, ...e5 for the Budapest. White can also skip c4 with the London, the Torre or the Trompowsky.
A45Indian Defense
Games from this position (1600–1999): 348k
- 1.
| Move | Played | Games | White · Draw · Black |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40% | 140k | ||
| 17% | 60k | ||
| 17% | 60k | ||
| 10% | 34k | ||
| 7% | 23k | ||
| 4% | 13k | ||
| 1% | 3,789 | ||
| 0.9% | 3,104 | ||
| 0.8% | 2,696 | ||
| 0.6% | 2,257 | ||
| 0.4% | 1,481 | ||
| 0.3% | 1,208 |
Plans for both sides
White
- 2.c4 is the main move: close to half the games at 2000+, but under one in five below 1200, where 2.Bf4 (the London) is played most.
- 2.Nf3 keeps options open and avoids the Budapest and the Benko; 2.Bg5 is the Trompowsky, and 2.Nf3 with 3.Bg5 the Torre Attack.
- Against ...g6 lines, decide early whether you want a big center (Nc3 and e4) or a quiet fianchetto (g3 and Bg2).
Black
- Pick one structure and learn it well: ...e6 with ...d5 or ...Bb4 is solid, ...g6 with ...d6 is combative.
- Against 2.Nf3, 2...g6 (the East Indian), 2...d5 and 2...e6 are all common and let you keep your own repertoire.
- Against an early Bg5 (Torre or Trompowsky), ...Ne4, or ...e6 with ...h6, asks the bishop what it wants.
Advertisement
Indian Defense: 1.d4 Nf6 at each rating
How often the position after 1.d4 Nf6 comes up in rated Lichess games, how it scores and what players answer next.
| Rating | Games (Share of games) | White · Draw · Black | Top next move |
|---|---|---|---|
| <1200 | 55k1.8% | 2.Bf424% | |
| 1200–1599 | 175k2.9% | 2.c430% | |
| 1600–1999 | 348k5.4% | 2.c440% | |
| 2000+ | 232k11.4% | 2.c448% | |
| All | 810k4.7% | 2.c439% |
What usually comes next
The most played moves from here, all ratings together. Thicker line = played more often.
Main variations
The most common answer to 3.Nc3 at every level. It has its own guide.
43k games from this position (all ratings, any move order). White won 48%, 5% were drawn, Black won 46%.
Show on the board: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4Black lets White build a big center and attacks it later. 3...d5 instead is the Grünfeld. Both have their own guide.
47k games from this position (all ratings, any move order). White won 50%, 5% were drawn, Black won 45%.
Show on the board: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6After 3.d5 Black chooses between ...e6 (Modern Benoni) and ...b5 (Benko Gambit). Both have their own guide.
8,038 games from this position (all ratings, any move order). White won 49%, 4% were drawn, Black won 46%.
Show on the board: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6Black keeps a King’s Indian or Grünfeld setup without allowing a big center yet.
4,820 games from this position (all ratings, any move order). White won 48%, 7% were drawn, Black won 46%.
Show on the board: 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.g3 Bg7 4.Bg2 O-OWhite pins the knight without c4, then plays e3, Nbd2 and c3. White scores about 53% after 3.Bg5; 3...Be7 and 3...d5 are the usual answers.
7,520 games from this position (all ratings, any move order). White won 50%, 6% were drawn, Black won 44%.
Show on the board: 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.Bg5A quiet setup with e3, Bd3, b3 and Bb2, close to the Colle-Zukertort.
14k games from this position (all ratings, any move order). White won 50%, 5% were drawn, Black won 45%.
Show on the board: 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.e3A rare knight move that aims for ...e5. White scores about 55% after it, so treat it as a surprise weapon.
3,667 games from this position (all ratings, any move order). White won 53%, 4% were drawn, Black won 43%.
Show on the board: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 Nc6
Advertisement
At club level
Below 1200, 2.Bf4 is the most common answer to 1...Nf6 (about one game in four), and after 2.c4 Black chooses 2...g6 most often, then 2...d5 and 2...e6. At 2000+ 2.c4 is played in close to half the games, and 2...e6 becomes the top reply at about 41%. White scores about 51% after 1...Nf6 at every level.
Practice it
The trainer answers with the replies people at your rating choose, in the same proportions, and brings back your mistakes on a schedule.
Related openings
- King’s Indian Defense
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6
- Nimzo-Indian Defense
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4
- Old Indian Defense
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 d6
- Trompowsky Attack
1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5
- Budapest Gambit
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e5
- Grünfeld Defense
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5