Indian Defence: Knights Variation

Indian Defence

Definition

The term Indian Defence is an umbrella name for Black’s reply 1…Nf6 to White’s first move 1.d4. Unlike the more classical 1…d5, Black initially refrains from occupying the centre with pawns, intending instead to contest it later with pieces or timely pawn breaks such as …c5 or …e5. The family includes celebrated systems such as the King’s Indian, Nimzo-Indian, Queen’s Indian, Bogo-Indian, Grunfeld and many off-beat sidelines.

How It Is Used in Chess

After 1.d4 Nf6, the position may branch in several directions:

• With 2.c4 – the “main-line” Indian territory.
  
  • 2…e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 – Nimzo-Indian
  • 2…e6 3.Nf3 b6 – Queen’s Indian
  • 2…g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 – King’s Indian or Grunfeld (after …d5)
  • 2…d6 3.Nc3 e5 – Old Indian
• Without 2.c4 – often labelled “A-systems” in ECO (A45–A49). Examples include the Torre Attack (2.Nf3 e6 3.Bg5), London System (2.Nf3 d5 3.Bf4) and the Knights Variation (see next section).

Strategic & Historical Significance

The Indian Defence family was a pillar of the Hypermodern Revolution of the 1920s, championed by theorists such as Aron Nimzowitsch and Richard Réti. Their idea—allow the opponent to build a pawn centre and then undermine it—was radical at a time when seizing the centre with pawns was considered mandatory.

Throughout the 20th century the Indians served as the battleground for world-class rivalries: Botvinnik vs. Bronstein (King’s Indian, 1951), Fischer’s explosive victories in the Nimzo-Indian, and Kasparov’s elite repertoire of King’s and Grunfeld Defences. Modern engines continue to affirm the soundness of these systems, keeping them fashionable from club play to super-tournaments.

Examples

1. King’s Indian, Mar del Plata Attack
   
2. Nimzo-Indian, Classical (Kapov Variation)
   
3. Historic Game – Kasparov – Deep Blue, New York 1997 (Game 5)
   Kasparov employed the Nimzo-Indian to neutralise the computer’s preparation, eventually drawing after sharp complications.

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

• The adjective “Indian” was inspired by early 19th-century games in Calcutta between the British master John Cochrane and Indian pioneer Moheschunder Bannerjee, who often fianchettoed his king’s bishop—an exotic sight to European eyes.
• World Champions with a lifelong affinity for Indian Defences include Mikhail Tal (King’s Indian), Garry Kasparov (King’s Indian & Grunfeld), and Viswanathan Anand (Nimzo-Indian).
• The ECO volume “Indian Defences” (codes A45–E99) is by far the largest single opening section in the encyclopaedia.

Knights Variation

Definition

The Knights Variation usually denotes the line

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.Nc3

or, more broadly, any early development of both white knights to f3 and c3 against an Indian-type set-up before committing the c-pawn to c4. In ECO it is catalogued as A45 “Indian Defence: Knights Variation.”

The idea is simple: avoid heavy theory (especially the King’s Indian and Grunfeld main lines) while maintaining maximum flexibility. Depending on Black’s reply, White may transpose to a London/Torre structure, play a quick e4 break, or even reach reversed Pirc positions.

Typical Move-Orders & Plans

• 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Bf4 Bg7 5.e3
  A solid scheme: White supports the centre with pawns on e3 & c2 while preparing Nb5, h3, or even a future e4.
• 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.Nc3 Bf5 4.Bf4
  Can transpose to a Jobava London if White later plays e3 and h3.
• 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Bd2
  A sideline against the Nimzo-Indian, often catching opponents unprepared.

Strategic Features

• Flexibility – because the c-pawn remains on c2, White can choose between c4 (entering standard Queen’s Gambit/Indian realms) or structures with c2-c3.
• Reduced Theory – many King’s Indian devotees rely on critical Yugoslav or Mar del Plata main lines after 3.Nc3 (with c4). The Knights Variation cuts this switch off at the source.
• Early Piece Activity – both knights exert pressure on the e5 and d5 squares, sometimes provoking …d5 from Black and allowing a transposition to a favourable Queen’s Pawn opening.

Illustrative Game

Kramnik – Grischuk, Tal Memorial 2013

Kramnik maintained a small edge throughout and eventually converted the endgame, demonstrating how the Knights Variation can steer a King’s Indian specialist (Grischuk) into calmer waters.

Interesting Facts & Related Usages

• The double-knight set-up is not unique to 1.d4 openings. Chess literature also speaks of a “Knight’s Variation” in the Caro-Kann (1.e4 c6 2.Nc3 d5 3.Nf3) and in the French Defence (1.e4 e6 2.Nf3). The common theme is early, harmonious knight development aimed at flexibility.
• Because it often avoids the sharpest theoretical debates, the Knights Variation is a favourite “weapon” for rapid and blitz, where practical understanding trumps memorisation.
• Grandmasters Baadur Jobava and Richard Rapport have used related knight-first systems to upset highly-booked opponents, fueling renewed interest in these lines.