Chess Opening Theory/1. d4/1...Nf6/2. c4/2...e6

From Wikibooks, open books for an open world
< Chess Opening Theory‎ | 1. d4‎ | 1...Nf6‎ | 2. c4
The latest reviewed version was checked on 10 August 2022. There is 1 pending change awaiting review.
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Indian Defense
a b c d e f g h
8a8 black rookb8 black knightc8 black bishopd8 black queene8 black kingf8 black bishopg8 black kingh8 black rook8
7a7 black pawnb7 black pawnc7 black pawnd7 black pawne7 black kingf7 black pawng7 black pawnh7 black pawn7
6a6 black kingb6 black kingc6 black kingd6 black kinge6 black pawnf6 black knightg6 black kingh6 black king6
5a5 black kingb5 black kingc5 black kingd5 black kinge5 black kingf5 black kingg5 black kingh5 black king5
4a4 black kingb4 black kingc4 white pawnd4 white pawne4 black kingf4 black kingg4 black kingh4 black king4
3a3 black kingb3 black kingc3 black kingd3 black kinge3 black kingf3 black kingg3 black kingh3 black king3
2a2 white pawnb2 white pawnc2 black kingd2 black kinge2 white pawnf2 white pawng2 white pawnh2 white pawn2
1a1 white rookb1 white knightc1 white bishopd1 white queene1 white kingf1 white bishopg1 white knighth1 white rook1
a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN)

rnbqkb1r/pppp1ppp/4pn2/8/2PP4/8/PP2PPPP/RNBQKBNR w

Moves: 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6

Indian Defence

[edit | edit source]

2...e6

[edit | edit source]

2...e6 is a move with several purposes. First, it opens a diagonal for the development of Black's dark-squared bishop. It also challenges White's ambition in the center by attacking the d5 square. By doing so, Black prepares to play ...d5 while discouraging White from playing d5 themself.

A disadvantage for Black of systems with ...e6 is that the pawn on e6 blocks the c8-h3 diagonal on which Black's light-squared bishop may wish to operate. Finding a useful way to develop this piece, either through a queenside fianchetto or a future reopening of the c8-h3 diagonal, is a perennial challenge for Black players after ...e6. However, the inactivity of the light-squared bishop, while sometimes problematic, is rarely fatal in the early going, and should not discourage Black players from choosing 2...e6 or ...e6 on a later move.

White has three main choices here:

  • 3. Nc3 - more aggressive in trying to establish a center via e2-e4, but also allows the 3...Bb4 pin (Nimzo-Indian). Black may also play a Benoni (3...c5) or QGD (3...d5).
  • 3. Nf3 - Less aggressive but solid. White may face a Queen's Indian (3...b6), Benoni, Bogo-Indian (3...Bb4+), or QGD.
  • 3. g3 - This usually leads to a Catalan, or sometimes a Symmetrical English or Benoni. The Catalan offers good chances for White to obtain powerful piece play in a more open game than the typical 1. d4 openings.

Theory table

[edit | edit source]

For explanation of theory tables, see theory table and for notation, see algebraic notation..

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6

3
Nc3
...		 =
Nf3
...		 =
g3
...		 =
Neo-Indian Attack Bg5
...		 =

When contributing to this Wikibook, please follow the Conventions for organization.

References

[edit | edit source]

Wikipedia has related information at Queen's Pawn Game

Retrieved from "https://en.wikibooks.org/w/index.php?title=Chess_Opening_Theory/1._d4/1...Nf6/2._c4/2...e6&oldid=4341298"