Indian Game: East Indian & Anti-Nimzo-Indian
Indian Game
Definition
The term Indian Game (or Indian Defence) is a broad classification that covers every opening beginning with the moves 1. d4 Nf6. Black immediately attacks the e4-square with the knight instead of replying symmetrically with …d5. From this single move order springs an extensive family of systems—King’s Indian, Queen’s Indian, Nimzo-Indian, Grünfeld, Benoni, Bogo-Indian, Old Indian, Budapest Gambit, and many more.
How it is Used
- Opening Repertoire Planning – Players often describe themselves as “an Indian Defence player” to indicate they meet 1.d4 with 1…Nf6 and an Indian structure rather than a Queen’s Gambit-style …d5.
- Flexible Transpositions – Because …Nf6 is non-committal with respect to the central pawn structure, Black can steer the game into different variations depending on White’s follow-ups (c4, Nc3, g3, Nf3, etc.).
- Pedagogical Label – Chess literature and databases use “Indian Game” as the parent ECO code group A45–E99.
Strategic & Historical Significance
The idea of delaying …d5 was revolutionary in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. German master Siegbert Tarrasch initially condemned such play as “irregular,” yet the hypermodern school (Reti, Nimzowitsch) demonstrated that controlling the center with pieces rather than pawns could yield dynamic counter-play.
Indian Defences rose to elite prominence after World War II; by the 1950s almost every world-class player had one in the toolkit, and champions from Tal to Carlsen have relied on them regularly.
Illustrative Mini-Example
The position after 3…Bb4 is the famous Nimzo-Indian Defence, one of the crown jewels of the Indian Game family.
Interesting Facts
- The label “Indian” likely refers to the influence of early 19th-century Indian chess players in London, notably Moheschunder Bannerjee, whose unorthodox defences involved an early …Nf6.
- Statistically, Indian Defences dominate high-level play against 1.d4: in recent master databases, they account for about 65 % of all responses.
East Indian Defence
Definition
The East Indian Defence arises after 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6. By playing Nf3 instead of the customary c4, White sidesteps many main-line King’s Indian and Grünfeld complications, while Black keeps the option to fianchetto the king’s bishop. The opening’s ECO codes are A48–A49.
Typical Move Orders
- 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.g3 Bg7 4.Bg2 O-O 5.O-O d6 – a King’s-Indian-style structure without c4.
- 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 Bg7 4.Nc3 d5 – transposes to a Grünfeld or Modern Benoni, showing the system’s flexibility.
Strategic Themes
- White’s Flexibility – By delaying c4, White can choose between a Catalan-flavored setup (g3, Bg2, c4 later) or a London-type structure (Bf4 or Bg5).
- Black’s Universal Fianchetto – Black aims for standard King’s Indian motifs: …d6, …e5 or …c5 breaks, and piece pressure on the long diagonal h8–a1.
- Reduced Theory, Rich Play – The East Indian is popular among club players seeking a sound yet lesser-known battleground.
Historical Notes
The name “East Indian” surfaced in English-language sources in the 1930s, contrasting it with the already established “King’s Indian.” It was revived in the 1970s by English GMs Tony Miles and Michael Basman, and later tested by elite players such as Alexei Shirov and Peter Svidler.
Model Game
Shirov – Svidler, Linares 1999: Black equalised comfortably and later unleashed a thematic …e5 break to seize the initiative.
Curiosities
- The East Indian can transpose into almost every major Indian Defence except the Nimzo-Indian (which requires White’s Nc3).
- Because both sides castle quickly, many games witness early middlegame tactics before move 15.
Anti-Nimzo-Indian Variation
Definition
The Anti-Nimzo-Indian Variation refers to White’s attempt to sidestep the Nimzo-Indian Defence by avoiding an early Nc3. The most direct route is 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3. Black cannot now play 3…Bb4, the hallmark Nimzo move, because the knight is not on c3. ECO codes: E20–E21.
Main Continuations
- Bogo-Indian: 3…Bb4+ 4.Bd2 (or 4.Nbd2) – Black pins the knight on f3 instead.
- Queen’s Indian: 3…b6 intending …Bb7 and …Bb4.
- Transpositional Queen’s Gambit: 3…d5 leading to orthodox QGD lines but with Nf3 already committed.
Strategic Ideas for White
- Maintain the Bishop Pair – By withholding Nc3, White makes it harder for Black to double c-pawns or trade the dark-squared bishop.
- Flexible Development – White can choose setups with g3 and Bg2 (Catalan-style), e3 and Bd3 (Colle-Zukertort flavour), or Nc3/Nd2 later depending on Black’s choice.
- Early cxd5 Option – In many …d5 lines, White can capture and use the extra tempo from Nf3 to pressure Black’s IQP or isolate Black’s d-pawn.
Historical Context
While the Nimzo-Indian (invented 1914-1925 by Aron Nimzowitsch) flourished, the Anti-Nimzo gained traction in the 1980s thanks to universal players like Garry Kasparov and Anatoly Karpov, both of whom used 3.Nf3 as a surprise weapon. Vladimir Kramnik and Viswanathan Anand elevated it to mainstream status during their World Championship matches (Bonn 2008, Sofia 2010), making it one of the most theoretically important queen-pawn systems today.
Classic Example
Kramnik – Anand, World Championship (Bonn) 2008, Game 3. Kramnik employed the Anti-Nimzo (Catalan flavour). After precise play, Anand neutralised White’s pressure and ultimately won, showcasing the line’s dynamic equality.
Interesting Tidbits
- The move 3.Nf3 is so common that some databases designate the Nimzo-Indian only after 3.Nc3, treating everything else as “Anti-Nimzo.”
- Because it can transpose to the Bogo-Indian, Queen’s Indian, or Catalan, top players often prepare the entire complex as one repertoire bundle.
- Chess engines evaluate the starting Anti-Nimzo position at around +0.20 for White—slightly better, but more positional than forced.