Indian: 2.c3

Indian: 2.c3

Definition

“Indian: 2.c3” is the ECO (Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings) label for the position arising after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c3. Black’s king-knight on f6 signals an Indian Defence; White’s quiet pawn push to c3—rather than the customary 2.c4—creates a distinctive sub-system sometimes nicknamed the Spielmann–Waite Variation. The move lays the groundwork for a broad pawn centre with e2–e4, keeps options open for a Colle- or London-style development, and, above all, avoids the labyrinth of mainline Nimzo-Indian, Grünfeld, or King’s Indian theory.

Typical Usage in Play

The line is most often chosen as a practical surprise weapon in rapid, blitz, or club play. White players who prefer system openings over heavy theory find it attractive because:

• it is strategically rich yet comparatively unexplored;
• it can transpose into the Colle System (after e3, Bd3, Nf3) or even the Stonewall (after f4);
• it steers the game away from well-analysed Indian main lines.

Strategic Themes

• Central Ambitions. By supporting d4 with c3, White is ready for a later e2–e4, aiming for a Caro-Kann-style pawn chain (c3–d4–e4) that squeezes space in the centre.
• Piece Development. The dark-squared bishop can emerge actively via Bf4 or Bg5, while the light-squared bishop often goes to d3, echoing Colle/London patterns.
• Flexibility. White can delay committing the king’s knight (Nf3 or Ne2) and decide later whether to play for a quiet buildup or a sharp pawn storm with f3 and g4.
• Drawbacks. The c-pawn is temporarily immobile; the usual minority-attack lever c4 is harder to obtain, and the queen’s knight sometimes lacks the c3 outpost.

Typical Black Replies

1. 2…d5 – Transposes to a Slav-flavoured structure where Black challenges the centre immediately.
2. 2…g6 – Kingside fianchetto, keeping options of King’s Indian or Grünfeld setups without fearing c4.
3. 2…e6 – A solid approach, planning …c5 or …d5.
4. 2…c5 – Directly strikes at d4; play can resemble an English Defence.

Historical Notes

The move was occasionally essayed by Rudolf Spielmann and Harold D. Waite in the 1920s and 30s, hence one of its alternative names. It then slipped into obscurity until computer-aided preparation revived interest: modern grandmasters such as Baadur Jobava and Gata Kamsky have used it in rapid events to sidestep preparation.

Illustrative Continuation

The following sample line shows typical plans for both sides:

White obtains a rock-solid centre and harmonious development; Black achieves early pawn tension and piece activity.

Model Game

Jobava – Kamsky, FIDE World Blitz, 2012
1.d4 Nf6 2.c3 d5 3.Nf3 g6 4.Bf4 Bg7 5.h3 O-O 6.e3 c5 7.Nbd2 Qb6 8.Qb3 Nc6 9.Qxb6 axb6 10.Bc7 Nd7 11.Bb5 – White’s unusual opening forced Kamsky to burn early clock time, and Jobava eventually converted a small structural edge in the endgame.

Interesting Facts

• The variation is sometimes used as an “anti-engine” line in training games, because neutral positions with long-term manoeuvring chances are harder for engines to convert into outright evaluations.
• In correspondence chess, specialists have experimented with an early queenside pawn storm (a4, b4) once the centre is stabilised— an echo of advance Caro-Kann themes, but one tempo up.
• ECO groups it under A45, the catch-all code for many off-beat systems beginning with 1.d4 Nf6 but without an immediate c4 by White.