Old Indian Defense: Ukrainian Two Knights Variation
Old Indian Defense: Ukrainian Two Knights Variation
Definition
The Old Indian Defense: Ukrainian Two Knights Variation is a branch of the Old Indian Defense in which White develops both knights to f3 and c3 before committing the c-pawn. It normally begins with the move-order 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d6 3. Nc3, though it can also arise by transposition from many other queen-pawn openings. The variation gets the nickname “Two Knights” from White’s early double-knight development and “Ukrainian” from the work of Ukrainian masters—most prominently Oleg Romanishin and Vladimir Tukmakov—who refined and popularized the system in the 1970s and 1980s.
Typical Move-Order
A common sequence (one of several) is:
- 1. d4 Nf6
- 2. Nf3 d6
- 3. Nc3 g6 (Black can also choose 3… Bf5, 3… Nbd7, or 3… e6)
- 4. e4 Bg7
- 5. Be2 O-O
- 6. O-O Nbd7
After these six moves we reach a tabiya that is strategically richer than its modest appearance suggests. Because White has not yet played c2-c4, multiple pawn structures (King’s Indian–style, Benoni-style, or even Colle-like setups) remain available.
Strategic Themes
- Flexibility for White. With the c-pawn still on c2, White can decide later whether to advance it to c4 (seizing queenside space) or to leave it on c2, supporting a central pawn chain with d4-e4. The delayed c-pawn also keeps the option of c2-c3 to reinforce the d4-pawn against …e5xe4 breaks.
- Black’s King’s-Indian–like plans. If Black chooses …g6 and …Bg7, the game can mimic a King’s Indian where White has refrained from c4. Black may aim for …e5, …Re8, and a later …exd4 or …f5 break.
- Early central tension. Because neither side has committed to an immediate pawn clash, both players often jockey for the right moment to play …e5 (Black) or d4-d5/c2-c4 (White).
- Piece Maneuvers. The knights on f3 and c3 give White strong central control, but may later reroute—Nd2-f1-e3 or Nf3-d2-c4—to increase pressure.
Historical Significance
The system was examined in Soviet chess literature under the name “Ukrainian Variation” in the mid-20th century, but it gained practical prominence through the games of Ukrainian Grandmasters such as Oleg Romanishin, Vladimir Tukmakov, and Vasyl Ivanchuk. Its popularity surged as an antidote to Black’s deeply studied King’s Indian setups—offering White a way to sidestep miles of main-line theory without conceding ambition.
Illustrative Game
Romanishin’s clarity of idea against a well-prepared opponent makes the following encounter a model game:
[[Pgn| d4|Nf6|Nf3|d6|Nc3|g6|e4|Bg7|Be2|O-O|O-O|Nbd7|Re1|e5|Bf1|c6|a4|Qc7|d5|a5 |fen|r1bq1rk1/pp1nppbp/2p1pnp1/n2P4/P2P4/2N2N2/1PP1BPP1/R1BQR1K1 w - - 0 10 |arrows|d4d5|squares|d5]]Romanishin–Beliavsky, USSR Ch. (Leningrad) 1983. White kept the c-pawn in reserve, waited for …c6 to weaken dark squares, and only then expanded on the queenside with a4–a5. The game later featured a thematic advance of c2-c4 when it best served White’s central strategy.
How the Variation Is Used in Modern Play
- Surprise Weapon. Players who rely on mainstream Queen’s Gambit theory can be pushed into less familiar territory.
- Positional Grind. Grandmasters such as Sergey Karjakin and Anton Korobov have employed the line to out-maneuver dynamic specialists who crave sharp theoretical battles.
- Club-Level Practicality. The first three moves are easy to remember, yet the resulting middlegames reward general understanding over rote memorization—ideal for ambitious amateurs.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- The Ukrainian Two Knights is one of the very few Queen-Pawn openings in which White’s c-pawn may never advance during the entire game; some lines resemble a reversed Pirc/Philidor.
- Because the move 3.Nc3 prevents Black from playing …e5 unchallenged, several Old Indian specialists (e.g., Lev Psakhis) switched to the Czech Benoni with …c5 or to the King’s Indian with …g6 to sidestep White’s scheme.
- Grandmaster Oleg Romanishin famously annotated that he adopted the system after realizing he could “fight the King’s Indian without having to learn 100 pages of theory.”
Summary
The Old Indian Defense: Ukrainian Two Knights Variation is a flexible, strategically rich opening that avoids heavy theoretical debates while retaining full-blooded play for both sides. Its historical roots in Ukrainian chess culture and its practical value at all levels make it a perennial sideline worth adding to any 1.d4 player’s arsenal.