Indian: Mexican Defence, 3.Nf3 e6 4.Nc3
Indian Game: Mexican Defence, 3.Nf3 e6 4.Nc3
Definition & Move Order
The Mexican Defence is a sub-variation of the Indian Game that begins with the surprising knight leap 2…Nc6 after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4. The specific branch treated here continues 3.Nf3 e6 4.Nc3, reaching the diagram position below:
- 1.d4 Nf6 – Black heads for Indian Defence territory.
- 2.c4 Nc6!? – The trademark Mexican move, immediately challenging the d4–square and preparing …e5 in many lines.
- 3.Nf3 – White avoids early central tension (3.d5 leads to independent paths) and simply develops.
- 3…e6 – Black keeps the structure flexible, supporting …d5 or …Bb4 while still eyeing …e5.
- 4.Nc3 – Reinforces the d5-square and brings another piece into play, setting up numerous transpositional possibilities (e.g., into certain Queen’s Gambit Declined or Nimzo-Indian structures after …Bb4).
Usage in Practical Play
The Mexican Defence serves dynamic players who relish unbalanced development and early piece play. By delaying …d7–d5 and placing a knight on c6, Black:
- Pressures d4 and often threatens …e5 in a single stroke.
- Retains the option of a Black Knights’ Tango (…Ne7–g6 or …Ng8–e7–g6) aiming at f4 and e5.
- Can transpose into more classical defences if desired (e.g., the Nimzo-Indian after …Bb4).
White, meanwhile, has obtained a full centre and harmonious development, but must choose a plan: advance with d5, occupy the centre with e4, or adopt a restraint strategy with g3 and Bg2.
Strategic Themes & Typical Plans
- Central Tension: Both sides postpone pawn exchanges, keeping the pawn duo d4–c4 versus …d7–…e6 flexible. Timing of …d5 or …e5 is critical.
- Minor-Piece Activity: Black’s knight on c6 may jump to b4, d4, or e5. White often challenges it with d5 or d4–d5, gaining space.
- Transpositional Richness: After 4…Bb4, the game resembles a Nimzo-Indian. If Black plays 4…d5, the position can merge into a Chigorin-style QGD. This fluidity makes the variation a potent surprise weapon.
- Colour-Complexes: Because Black sometimes fianchettoes the dark-squared bishop (…g6, …Bg7), light-square control (e4, d5, f5) becomes a recurring motif.
Historical Background & Evolution
The line is nicknamed the “Mexican Defence” after the Mexican master Carlos Torre (who famously upset World Champion Emanuel Lasker in 1925), although modern databases attribute the move 2…Nc6 to several earlier players. In the late 20th century, the variation was popularised under the brand “Black Knights’ Tango” by IMs Georgi Orlov and Glenn Flear. Elite proponents include Vassily Ivanchuk, Hikaru Nakamura, and Magnus Carlsen, each using it as an occasional surprise weapon.
Illustrative Game
Below is a crisp miniature showing the main ideas. Black allows a Nimzo-like pin, breaks in the centre with …e5, and launches a swift king-side attack.
[[Pgn| d4|Nf6|c4|Nc6|Nf3|e6|Nc3|Bb4|Bg5|h6|Bh4|g5|Bg3|Ne4|Qc2|f5|e3|h5|h4|g4|Nd2|Nxg3|fxg3|Bd6|Kf2|b6|a3|Bb7|e4|Nxd4| fen|r2qk2r/1b3p2/p1bpp1p1/8/2PNnpp1/P1NPP1P1/1PQ2KP1/R3B2R b kq - 0 17|arrows|e4d2,g3f4,g3h4|squares|e4,f5 ]]White’s apparently sound set-up collapsed when the knight landed on e4, demonstrating the latent tactical resources created by the early …Nc6.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- The first top-level outing of 2…Nc6 in modern times occurred at Tilburg 1987, where GM John van der Wiel used it to defeat World Championship challenger Nigel Short in just 27 moves.
- In blitz and rapid play, Magnus Carlsen has employed the defence to great effect, scoring over 70% with Black according to his published database ().
- Glenn Flear’s book Offbeat Spanish & Indian Lines calls the system “an instant antidote to memorisation”—because after 3.Nf3 the game can veer into completely original territory by move eight.
Further Study
- Georgi Orlov, The Black Knights’ Tango (Batsford, 1998).
- Frank Erwich, “The Mexican Defence” series in New in Chess Yearbook.
- Modern databases under ECO code D02 and AO4 cover transpositions.