Spielmann-Indian: Indian Defense
Indian Defense: Spielmann-Indian
Definition
The Spielmann-Indian is an off-beat yet entirely sound system for White that arises after the moves 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. Bg5 (or 2…d6 3.Bg5). By developing the dark-squared bishop to g5 before committing the c-pawn, White pins the king-knight and steers the game away from the heavy theory of the Nimzo-Indian, Queen’s Indian and King’s Indian. The line is named after the Austrian grandmaster and romantic attacking genius Rudolf Spielmann, who employed it with great success in the 1920s.
Typical Move Order
The most common sequences are:
- 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.Bg5
(the classical Spielmann-Indian, ECO code A46) - 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bg5
(a close relative that often transposes to Old-Indian setups)
From here Black may choose among several replies: 3…d5, 3…c5, 3…h6, 3…Be7, or 3…b6. Each leads to different pawn structures, but the unifying theme is that White keeps flexible options in the centre while the pin on f6 slightly restricts Black’s piece play.
Strategic Ideas
- Central Grip: The pinned knight makes it harder for Black to break with …d5. White often follows up with e2-e4 or c2-c4, gaining space.
- Piece Pressure: After moves like …h6 4.Bxf6 Qxf6, Black’s dark squares (e5, g7) can become sensitive once the defensive knight is exchanged.
- King-Side Attacks: Typical sacrifices such as Bxh7+ or a rook lift to the third rank (Rf3–h3) are common motifs, echoing Spielmann’s original attacking style.
- Flexibility: Because White has not played c4, he may adopt Torre-style plans (c3 & e4), Queen’s Indian structures (c4 followed by Nc3), or even transpose to a Colle with e3 and Bd3.
Historical Significance
Rudolf Spielmann, famed for his credo “Play the opening like a book, the middlegame like a magician, and the endgame like a machine,” introduced 3.Bg5 as a practical weapon to sidestep the fashionable Nimzo-Indian (3.Nc3 Bb4) of his day. Although overshadowed by the Torre Attack (usually entered via 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.Bg5) in modern nomenclature, opening databases still list the pure 3.Bg5 lines against …e6 or …d6 as “Spielmann-Indian.” Its surprise value and low theoretical burden keep it popular at club level and it makes occasional appearances in top grandmaster practice.
Illustrative Mini-Game
The following short encounter shows many typical themes. After an early …h6, White gives up the bishop pair, seizes the centre with e4, and generates a dangerous initiative on the kingside.
[[Pgn| d4|Nf6| Nf3|e6| Bg5|h6| Bxf6|Qxf6| e4|d6| Nc3|g5| e5|Qg7| Nb5|Na6| exd6|cxd6| Qa4|Bd7| Qa3|d5| Nd6+|Bxd6| Qxd6| ]After 15.Qxd6 White regained the pawn with interest: Black’s king is still in the centre, his dark squares are weak, and White’s rooks are ready to invade down the e- and d-files.
Notable Games
- Spielmann vs. Tarrasch, Bad Pistyan 1922 – The inventor crushes the renowned theoretician after sacrificing on h7.
- Anand vs. Domínguez, Wijk aan Zee 2011 – A modern elite example in which White’s flexible setup neutralised Black’s Grünfeld ambitions.
- Ding Liren vs. Carlsen, Gashimov Memorial 2019 – World Champion Carlsen adopted the line as Black; despite eventually winning, he spent considerable time solving opening problems.
Typical Plans for Each Side
- White
- Maintain the pin, play e4 or c4 at the right moment.
- Exchange on f6 to weaken Black’s kingside dark squares.
- Use a rook-lift (Rf1–e1–e3 or Rf1–h3) for direct pressure.
- Black
- Break the pin with …h6 and …g5 or …Be7, then strike at the centre with …d5 or …c5.
- Fianchetto the queen’s bishop with …b6 & …Bb7 to challenge the e4 square.
- Exploit the bishop pair in open positions if White exchanges on f6.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- Rudolf Spielmann claimed he invented the line because he was “tired of being Nimzo-ed” – a reference to Aron Nimzowitsch’s oppressive Bb4 pin.
- The move order 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.Bg5 reached its peak popularity in the 1980s thanks to American GM Yasser Seirawan, who used it as a low-theory surprise weapon against Karpov and Kasparov.
- Because White’s c-pawn is still on c2, engines initially underestimate his potential; however, once e4 breaks through, the evaluation often swings rapidly in White’s favour.
Summary
The Spielmann-Indian is a pragmatic, strategically rich system that:
- Sidesteps mainstream Indian and Queen’s Gambit theory.
- Creates practical middlegame attacking chances.
- Honours the fighting spirit of Rudolf Spielmann while remaining perfectly sound for modern play.