Neo-Old Indian: Modern, 3.e4 Bg7

Neo-Old Indian: Modern, 3.e4 Bg7

Definition and Move-order

The term “Neo-Old Indian: Modern, 3.e4 Bg7” refers to a branch of the Old-Indian / King’s-Indian family of openings that begins (in its most common practical form) with

1. 1. d4 Nf6
2. 2. c4 d6
3. 3. e4 g6
4. 4. Nc3 Bg7

Most databases shorten the sequence to “3…Bg7,” implicitly including the preparatory …g6 move. Black delays the characteristic King’s-Indian pawn thrust …g6 for a tempo (playing 2…d6 first), then fianchettoes the bishop. Because the original Old-Indian placed that bishop on e7, the modern fianchetto is viewed as a “neo” (new) treatment of an “old” defence—hence the hybrid name.

How the Line Is Used

Players who choose this set-up often want:

• A King’s-Indian–style middlegame without having to memorize the dense theory of the Main Line (3.Nc3 g6 4.e4 Bg7).
• The possibility of transposing into a pure Old-Indian (…e6 & …Be7) or Benoni (…c5) depending on White’s replies.
• Flexibility against move-order tricks such as an early Bf4 or g3 by White, because the pawn on d6 shields the f8–a3 diagonal and keeps the centre fluid.

Strategic Significance

The position after 4…Bg7 crystallises into the familiar pawn picture:

• White: pawns on d4 & e4 claim space; minor pieces often go to Nf3, Be2, 0-0, and Re1.
• Black: pawns on d6 & g6; knight hops to f6, bishop to g7, and king quickly castles short.

From there Black has several plans:

1. Classical Counter-centre: …e5, challenging d4; sometimes prepared by …Nbd7 or …Nc6.
2. Benoni break: …c5, when White’s space advantage becomes dynamic tension on the half-open d- and e-files.
3. Delayed …e6 set-up: transposing back to an Old-Indian structure (…Nbd7, …e6, …Qe7) that supports a later …e5.

White, meanwhile, may expand on the queenside with c5 and b4, or mount a direct kingside attack with Be3, Qd2, Bh6, h4–h5, mirroring typical King’s-Indian themes.

Historical Notes

• The original Old-Indian (pioneered by players such as Tarrasch and Spielmann) aimed for quick …e5 and kept the bishop on e7.
• Modern champions of the fianchetto idea—particularly Efim Geller in the 1950s and 60s—demonstrated that placing the bishop on g7 gave Black more long-term pressure on the dark squares.
• The line enjoyed a surge of popularity in the 1990s among practical grandmasters (e.g., Alexey Shirov, Boris Gelfand) who used it to sidestep heavy King’s-Indian theory while retaining familiar pawn structures.

Illustrative Game

The following short PGN fragment shows a typical stem position:

In Anand – Gelfand, Linares 1997, play continued 9.0-0 Na6 10.Be3 Ng4 11.Bg5 f6 12.Bh4 Nh6 when Black’s knight manoeuvres illustrate typical dark-square play and kingside counter-pressure.

Typical Tactical Motifs

• e4–e5 break: White can thrust e5 to gain space, but must watch the d4 pawn once the centre opens.
• Fischer Exchange Sacrifice: Rxc3 (after White’s Nc3) is a recurring idea, undermining d4 and exposing the white king on the c-file.
• Dark-square bind: If Black achieves …e5 and …f5, the bishop on g7 becomes a monster on the long diagonal.

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

• The paradoxical label “Neo-Old” amused commentators when it first appeared in Soviet literature—Is it new or is it old?
• Because 2…d6 can transpose to so many systems, some elite players include it in their move-order poker arsenal merely to see which structure White prefers.
• World Champion Magnus Carlsen has employed the line several times in rapid events, valuing its solidity and flexibility over sharper King’s-Indian main-lines.

When to Choose It

Opt for the Neo-Old Indian: Modern, 3.e4 Bg7 if you:

• Like King’s-Indian pawn structures but wish to avoid the heavily analysed Mar del Plata and Sämisch variations.
• Prefer a sound, unhurried approach where you can steer the game toward either …e5 or …c5 depending on circumstances.
• Enjoy piece-play on the dark squares and a long-term positional struggle rather than immediate tactical mayhem.

Summary

The Neo-Old Indian: Modern, 3.e4 Bg7 is a flexible, strategically rich response to 1.d4 that blends the solidity of the Old-Indian with the dynamism of the King’s-Indian. Its deceptive simplicity masks a wealth of plans for both sides, making it a valuable weapon for club players and grandmasters alike.