Old Indian: 4.Nf3 exd4

Old Indian: 4.Nf3 exd4

Definition

“Old Indian: 4.Nf3 exd4” designates a specific branch of the Old Indian Defence, arising after the moves 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 d6 3.Nc3 e5 4.Nf3 exd4. At move 4 Black decides to clarify the central tension immediately by capturing on d4. The position is catalogued in modern databases under ECO codes A53–A55, with 4…exd4 belonging to A54.

Move-Order & Basic Position

The critical position appears after:

• 1.d4 Nf6
• 2.c4 d6 – a flexible pawn move keeping options open for …e5 or …g6.
• 3.Nc3 e5 – staking a pawn in the centre; the hallmark of the Old Indian.
• 4.Nf3 exd4 – Black exchanges immediately, avoiding some of the sharper closed-centre lines that follow 4…Nbd7 or 4…Be7.

After 5.Nxd4 (the main recapture) the board often shows a semi-open d-file, symmetrical pawn skeletons (d6 vs d4, e-pawns exchanged), and uncommitted minor pieces. Black usually continues …g6 or …Be7, while White decides between fianchettoing the light-squared bishop or playing e2-e4 to claim space.

Strategic Themes

• Centrally Symmetrical but Unbalanced Pieces. With the e-pawns gone, piece activity outweighs pawn structure. Both sides fight for the only open file (the e-file) and for the central squares e4 and d5.
• Tempo Considerations. By capturing on d4, Black forces White’s knight to move twice (c3-d5), attempting to equalise the initiative.
• Development Schemes.
  1. Black can adopt a King’s Indian–style setup with …g6, …Bg7 and later …Re8–e5 to re-occupy the centre.
  2. Alternatively Black may aim for quick queenside counterplay with …c6 and …d5, exploiting the absence of White’s e-pawn.
• Critical Squares. White watches d5 and f5; Black eyes e4 and c4 (sometimes …Be6 or …Nc6-e5-c4).

Historical Significance

The Old Indian Defence was popularised in the 1930s–1950s by players such as Efim Bogoljubow, Svetozar Gligorić, and Isaac Boleslavsky. The immediate 4…exd4 line enjoyed a surge in the 1950s when Gligorić used it to good effect in several Yugoslav Championships, showcasing its solidity compared with the riskier 4…Be7 main line.

Typical Continuations

• 5.Nxd4 g6 6.e4 Bg7 7.Be2 0-0 – a hybrid setup that resembles the King’s Indian but without the central pawn tension.
• 5.Nxd4 Be7 6.e4 0-0 7.Be2 Re8 – Black intends …Bf8-e7, …Bf8-g7 being deferred; the rook supports a later …Bf8 and …d5 break.

Illustrative Game

Gligorić vs. Petrosian, Belgrade 1954 – a textbook demonstration of Black’s solid plan.

The middlegame shows typical manoeuvring along dark squares, minor-piece exchanges, and Black’s eventual …d6-d5 break.

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

• In the 1953 Zürich Candidates tournament the legendary commentator David Bronstein described 4…exd4 as “the pragmatic equaliser,” applauding its avoidance of theoretical debates in the main King’s Indian lines.
• Grandmaster Aleksandar Matanović reportedly recommended the line to club players because “you can learn one plan and play it for life,” a motto still echoed in many repertoire books.
• Modern engines give the line a narrow +0.20 for White—smaller than most Queen’s Gambits—making it a practical surprise weapon against theoretically overloaded King’s Indian specialists.

Practical Tips

• For White: Push e2-e4 quickly; delay it only if you plan to fianchetto the king’s bishop with g2-g3.
• For Black: Choose a clear scheme (…g6 or …Be7). Mixing plans can leave you a tempo short when White plays f2-f3 and Be3.
• Watch out for tactical tricks on b7 and f7 once the e-file opens.