Indian Game and East Indian Defenses
Indian Game
Definition
The term Indian Game (sometimes simply “The Indian”) is an umbrella name for any opening that begins with the moves 1.d4 Nf6. Black’s knight move prevents White from occupying the center with an immediate e-pawn advance (e2–e4) and keeps the nature of the game flexible. After 1…Nf6, Black can fianchetto a bishop (…g6 and …Bg7), strike at the center with …d5, …e6 or …c5, or transpose into a number of sub-variations collectively called the Indian Defenses—the King’s Indian, Queen’s Indian, Nimzo-Indian, Grünfeld, Benoni, Bogo-Indian, etc.
Typical Usage
- When a player writes “I play Indian Games as Black,” they are signaling a repertoire based on 1…Nf6 against 1.d4.
- Chess databases often list “Indian Game” as the broad ECO category A45–A49 for early deviations before the specific defenses are defined.
Strategic Significance
The Indian concept—delaying …d5 in favor of piece pressure—revolutionized chess at the turn of the 20th century. It moved opening theory away from occupying the center with pawns (“classical doctrine”) toward controlling it with pieces (“hyper-modern doctrine”). This shift gave Black dynamic options and has influenced virtually every modern opening.
Historical Notes
- The name “Indian” pays homage to early 19th-century Indian masters such as Moheschunder Bannerjee, who used 1…Nf6 in casual games against British officers.
- Savielly Tartakower and Aron Nimzowitsch were the first grandmasters to employ Indian structures routinely in tournament play (1910s–1920s).
Illustrative Game
Capablanca vs. Alekhine, New York 1927 (Game 7) began 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.e3 b6—an early form of the Queen’s Indian that still resided in the database as “Indian Game” because Black delayed the typical …d5.
Interesting Fact
Because 1.d4 Nf6 is so non-committal, an Indian Game can transpose into English (1.c4), Réti (Nf3), or even Pirc/Modern defenses if White later plays e4. Modern repertoire books often start with the blanket chapter “The Indian Complex” before splitting into sub-systems.
East Indian
Definition
The East Indian Defense is a less-known branch of the King’s Indian family that arises after:
1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7
White postpones c2–c4 (the main-line King’s Indian move) and instead develops the knight to c3 first. The resulting positions may transpose to the King’s Indian, Grünfeld, or Pirc, but they retain independent significance when White keeps c-pawn flexibility.
How It Is Used
- Surprise Weapon: By sidestepping 2.c4, White prevents Black from immediately choosing the Grünfeld (2…g6 3.c4 d5) or the Nimzo-Indian (after 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4). The “East Indian” label is commonly used by practical players who wish to keep the game in less-analysed channels.
- Move-Order Trick: If Black reacts with …d5, the game may transpose to a Catalan or a Colle setup. If Black plays …c5, we might enter a Benoni structure where c4 was never played.
Strategic Features
- White’s knight on c3 exerts early pressure on d5 while still allowing the plan e2–e4.
- The absence of c4 keeps the d4-pawn well protected and denies Black the traditional queenside counterplay based on …c5xd4.
Example Line
1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Bf4 Bg7 5.e3 0-0 6.Be2—an “East Indian Colle” where White will later decide between Be5, h3 & g4, or a quiet c2–c3.
History & Name
The term surfaced in British literature of the 1950s as a counterpart to the King’s Indian. Whereas the “king’s” side (right) indicates Black’s fianchetto on g7, “east” alludes to a geographical naming fashion rather than the board’s orientation. In modern databases the line is classified as A48 (ECO code: King’s Indian, East Indian Defense).
Anti-Nimzo-Indian
Definition
The Anti-Nimzo-Indian refers to any White system that prevents Black from playing the Nimzo-Indian Defense after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6. The simplest and most common anti-Nimzo move is:
3.Nf3
By withholding the knight on c3, White makes 3…Bb4 impossible, forcing Black into alternative setups such as the Queen’s Indian (…b6), Bogo-Indian (…Bb4+ once White’s knight later goes to d2 or c3), Benoni structures, or a transposition to the Catalan.
Typical Sub-Variations
- 3.Nf3 b6 – Queen’s Indian proper.
- 3.Nf3 d5 – Transposes to the Queen’s Gambit Declined.
- 3.Nf3 c5 – A Benoni / Benko style.
- 3.Nf3 Bb4+ – Bogo-Indian, exploiting the fact that the bishop can still give a check on b4.
- 3.Nf3 g6 – Fianchetto set-ups that may transpose into the King’s Indian or Catalan.
Strategic Ideas for White
White usually aims for a flexible catalanesque setup:
- g2–g3 followed by Bg2, castling kingside and later playing Nc3 or Nbd2 depending on Black’s reaction.
- Maintaining pawn tension with d4 & c4 against Black’s eventual …d5.
- In some lines (e.g., after …c5) White strives for d4–d5, seizing space and blocking Black’s queenside counterplay.
Historical & Practical Relevance
The Anti-Nimzo rose to prominence in the 1980s when top grandmasters (Karpov, Kasparov, Short) tried to avoid the massive Nimzo-Indian theory that had accumulated. Today it is a mainstay at every level, appearing in World Championship matches (e.g., Anand – Topalov, Sofia 2010, multiple games).
Illustrative Mini-Game
The PGN above shows a smooth Anti-Nimzo to Queen’s Indian transition. White will soon play Qc2, Rd1, and b3, echoing Catalan ideas.
Interesting Anecdote
During the 1993 PCA World Championship (Kasparov vs. Short), Garry Kasparov used the Anti-Nimzo (3.Nf3) as White three times, scoring +2 =1. His practical reasoning: “I did not need to prove anything theoretical—only to play chess.”
Dzindzi Indian Defense
Definition
The Dzindzi Indian Defense (ECO classification A42) is an aggressive sideline named after Georgian-born U.S. Grandmaster Roman Dzindzichashvili. The canonical move order is:
1.d4 g6 2.c4 Bg7 3.Nc3 c5 4.d5 Bxc3+
Black voluntarily surrenders the dark-squared bishop on c3 to accelerate …f5, …Nf6, and direct kingside play, banking on lead in development and the semi-open f-file rather than the bishop pair.
Main Ideas
- Structural Target: By doubling White’s c-pawns (after Bxc3+ bxc3), Black hopes those pawns become long-term weaknesses.
- King-side Storm: Plans revolve around …f5, …Nf6, and sometimes …e5 (or …e6) to open lines toward White’s king.
- Unbalanced Imbalances: Black gives up the bishop pair and some queenside space in exchange for time and dynamic chances.
Typical Continuation
Here, both sides have advanced their wing pawns (a4, f5) and the struggle will revolve around whether Black can create an attack before the long-term pawn weaknesses tell.
Historical Backdrop
Roman Dzindzichashvili championed the line in the late 1970s and early 1980s, scoring notable wins in the U.S. Championship. His successes earned the system a cult following; it even appears in Dzindzi’s video courses under the affectionate nickname “The Dzindzi Indian.”
Notable Game
Dzindzichashvili vs. Christiansen, U.S. Championship 1984 actually featured the defense from the Black side: 1.d4 g6 2.c4 Bg7 3.Nc3 c5 4.d5 Bxc3+ 5.bxc3 f5 6.e4 d6 7.exf5 Bxf5. Black eventually sacrificed an exchange and launched a kingside mating attack, illustrating the opening’s spirit.
Practical Tips
- Black should not hesitate to castle short; the king is usually safe behind g6–f5–e6–d6 pawns.
- If White fianchettoes with g3, Black considers …b6 and …Ba6 to target the c4 pawn.
- Endgames may favor Black because the doubled c-pawns hinder White’s 3-vs-2 queenside majority.
Interesting Fact
In online blitz, the Dzindzi Indian enjoys surprising popularity. A Lichess database query (2023) shows over 24,000 blitz games featuring 3…c5 4.d5 Bxc3+, far outstripping its presence in classical events. The reason is simple: “Shock value”—many White players are bewildered when their carefully prepared Catalan or King’s Indian main lines vanish after 4…Bxc3+!