Old Indian: Main Line, 8.h3
Old Indian: Main Line, 8.h3
Definition
The Old Indian Defense arises after the moves
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nc3 e5 4. Nf3 Nbd7 5. e4 Be7 6. Be2 O-O 7. O-O c6 8. h3.
The specific move 8.h3 marks the “Main Line” of the Old Indian, preventing
...Bg4 and reserving the option of Be3 or Re1 without worrying about a pin
on the f3-knight. While the King’s Indian (…g6, …Bg7) is far more common,
the Old Indian (…d6, …e5, …Be7) is a historically important alternative,
favoured by a handful of world-class players seeking a solid yet dynamically
resilient setup.
Typical Ideas and Usage
- Anti-pin insurance: By playing h3, White stops …Bg4, bolstering the central knight on f3 and preparing to reposition the c1-bishop without tactical worries.
- Central tension: After 8…exd4 9.Nxd4, the position resembles a King’s Indian Exchange but with Black’s bishop still on e7, giving White a freer game. Black can also keep tension with 8…a6 or 8…Re8.
- Flexible development: White often follows with Be3, Re1, Bf1 or Qc2, keeping an eye on the d6 pawn and the potential break c5.
- Black’s plans: Typical counterplay includes …Re8, …Bf8, …exd4, …a6 and eventually …b5 or …c5. Sometimes Black reroutes the queen’s knight via f8–g6.
Strategic Significance
The Old Indian is sound but gives White a small, persistent space advantage. In the 8.h3 line, that edge is reinforced because the omission of …Bg4 means Black lacks an immediate way to put pressure on d4 or the f3-knight. However, the structure is robust: the d6-e5 pawn chain controls key central squares, and the latent …d5 or …c5 breaks can liberate Black’s position.
Critical Continuations
- 8…exd4 9.Nxd4 Re8 — Black liquidates the center before regrouping. After 10.Be3 Bf8 11.Qc2 Nc5 12.Bf3 a5, play is balanced.
- 8…a6 — A multi-purpose move, preparing …b5 or …exd4 while waiting to see where White’s pieces go.
- 8…Re8 — Directly supports …Bf8 & free central breaks. White can answer 9.Be3 or 9.Qc2.
Illustrative Mini-Game
[[Pgn| d4|Nf6|c4|d6|Nc3|e5|Nf3|Nbd7|e4|Be7|Be2|O-O|O-O|c6|h3|exd4| Nxd4|Re8|Be3|Bf8|Qc2|Nc5|Bf3|a5|Rad1|Qc7|b3|Bd7|g3|Bxh3||]]The PGN shows a common tabiya: after early exchanges, Black maneuvers for …d5 while White enjoys more space and the two bishops.
Historical Notes
- The Old Indian was championed by Efim Geller, Isaac Boleslavsky, and occasionally by Vasily Smyslov in the 1950s.
- In the computer age it appears rarely; however, Vladimir Kramnik used the Old Indian (though not this exact 8.h3 tabiya) in his 2000 match preparation versus Kasparov as a surprise weapon.
- Modern correspondence and engine games suggest the line is fully playable but that White retains a small plus with accurate play.
Interesting Facts
- The move 8.h3 is sometimes nicknamed the “Smyslov System,” although Smyslov himself more often preferred setups with Be3 and Qc2 early on.
- Because …Bg4 is ruled out, Black must wait even longer to activate the king-side bishop; many Old Indian specialists therefore employ a later …Bf8–e7–f8 maneuver, which rook-lifts the rook to e6 or h6 in attacking scenarios.
- Statistics in major databases show White scoring roughly 57% from the position after 8.h3, somewhat higher than the average for d4 openings against the Old Indian.