Indian Game, East Indian Defence, London System
Indian Game
Definition
The term Indian Game (or simply “Indian”) is a broad opening category that begins with the moves 1. d4 Nf6. Black’s reply 1…Nf6 eschews the immediate fight for the center with …d5 and instead prepares to contest it later with flexible pawn breaks such as …d6, …g6, …e6, or …c5. Within modern opening theory, the Indian Game is the “parent” of the King’s Indian, Queen’s Indian, Nimzo-Indian, Bogo-Indian, Grünfeld, and many sideline systems.
How it is used in play
- Flexibility: By not committing the d-pawn right away, Black can choose a plan based on White’s second move (2. c4, 2. Nf3, 2. g3, etc.).
- Piece Development First: Knights are developed before pawns, allowing Black to keep the central structure fluid.
- Transpositional Weapon: The move order 1…Nf6 can transpose into a wide range of defenses; knowing typical ideas often matters more than memorizing exact moves.
Strategic & Historical Significance
The name “Indian” dates back to the late 19th century, when the opening was popularized by players from the Indian subcontinent who employed hyper-modern ideas—delaying an immediate pawn fight in favor of pieces controlling the center from afar. The approach challenged the classical doctrine of occupying the center with pawns and laid the groundwork for hyper-modernism, later championed by Réti, Nimzowitsch, and Grünfeld.
Typical Continuations
- King’s Indian Defence: 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6.
- Grünfeld Defence: 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5.
- Nimzo-Indian Defence: 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4.
- Queen’s Indian Defence: 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6.
- Bogo-Indian Defence: 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Bb4+.
Illustrative Mini-Game
Interesting Facts
- World Champions from Capablanca to Anand have used various Indian Defences as cornerstones of their repertoires.
- Because virtually every serious 1…Nf6 line can arise from the Indian Game move order, databases list over one million master games that fall under its umbrella.
- Against computers, the Indian family remains popular: Stockfish 16’s top Black reply to 1. d4 at long time controls is 1…Nf6.
East Indian Defence
Definition
The East Indian Defence is a subset of the Indian Game characterized by the moves 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 where White does not commit to 2. c4. Because White keeps the c-pawn on c2, Black’s typical Grünfeld or King’s Indian set-ups acquire a different flavor, and early c-pawn thrusts are delayed or omitted altogether.
Typical Plans and Usage
- Black’s Setup: …g6, …Bg7, …d6 (or …d5), …O-O, followed by central breaks …c5 or …e5.
- White’s Options:
- Flexible development with g3, Bg2, and c4 later (transposing to a Fianchetto King’s Indian).
- Classical structure with e4 and Nc3, similar to a Pirc/Modern setup.
- London-style development with Bf4 or Bg5 without committing the c-pawn.
- Move-Order Trickery: White avoids early …Bb4 pin lines (from the Nimzo-Indian) and Grünfeld pressure on the c-pawn, while Black sidesteps heavily analyzed Queen’s Gambit positions.
Historical Notes
The name “East Indian” has never been as common as its “King’s Indian cousin,” yet it appeared in the praxis of great players such as Tigran Petrosian and Viktor Korchnoi during the 1960s. Recent rapid-play aficionados like Hikaru Nakamura and Ding Liren have dipped into it to avoid theory storms.
Example Line
Here White stays compact with c2–c3 and e2–e3, preparing Bd3 and Nbd2. Black retains a typical King’s Indian pawn chain but must decide whether to play …e5 or …c5.
Strategic Themes
- Delayed Confrontation: The center often remains fluid far longer than in mainline King’s Indians.
- Color-Complex Battles: Because White may fianchetto the light-squared bishop or play Bf4, the struggle over dark vs. light squares can become pronounced.
- Endgame Appeal: Some White players choose the East Indian to steer toward simplified positions with a tiny space advantage—useful in must-draw scenarios.
Trivia
- The ECO code for most pure East Indian setups is A48, sandwiched between the Torre Attack (A46–A47) and the Benoni (A56).
- When asked at a simul why he played the opening, Petrosian quipped: “Because the theory books haven’t caught the train to the East yet.”
London System
Definition
The London System is a solid queen’s-pawn opening where White typically develops with 1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Bf4 (or the move-order 2. Bf4 first). Hallmarks include placing the dark-squared bishop on f4 early, building a pyramid of pawns on d4-e3-c3, and keeping a robust central structure while limiting theoretical depth.
Essential Move-Order Components
- White: d4, Nf3, Bf4, e3, c3, Nbd2, Bd3, h3, and sometimes c4 or Ne5 later on.
- Black: Many setups—…d5 with …Bf5 or …e6, or King’s Indian structures with …g6.
- The queen often comes to b3 or c2, pressuring the b7-pawn and supporting e4.
Strategic Significance
- Low Maintenance: Long lines of forcing theory are rare; typical plans matter more than exact moves.
- Model Minority Attack: If Black castles short, White often plays h3, g4, Rg1, h4, and launches a pawn storm on the kingside.
- Enduring Appeal: From amateurs seeking a “system” to elite stars (Carlsen, Aronian, Giri) looking for a surprise weapon, the London has universal reach.
Historical Development
Although named after the 1922 London tournament where it was played frequently, the system’s roots stretch back to 19th-century Queen’s Pawn games. In the 1990s, Vladimir Kramnik revived it at top level, but the real renaissance came in the 2010s when Magnus Carlsen and a wave of streaming content made it fashionable, spawning the meme “#BotezGambit is the only refutation!”
Model Game
Carlsen has employed similar structures repeatedly, gradually massaging small advantages until the endgame.
Typical Tactical Motifs
- Greek Gift–Lite: With Bf4 on f4 instead of c1, the standard Bxh7+ sacrifice morphs into Bxh7+ followed by Ng5 and Qh5—still dangerous.
- e4 Break: After setup completion, the thematic pawn break e3–e4 explodes the center. Black must be ready to meet it with …c5 or …Ne4.
- Battery on the b1–h7 Diagonal: Qb3/Qc2 + Bf4 line up against h7 and b7, causing awkward defense for Black if unprepared.
Interesting Anecdotes
- During Kasparov vs. Deep Blue, 1997, Kasparov actually considered the London for game 6 to “dodge computer preparation,” but switched to 1. e4 at the last minute—famously losing.
- The opening has its own fan-club acronym: L.S.G. (“London System Gang”). Members boast that the only theory you need to know is “Bf4, e3, c3, profit!”
- In online blitz, some playful players call 2. Bf4 “The Jobava London” when accompanied by Nc3, honoring Georgian GM Baadur Jobava, whose aggressive spin injects tactical venom.