ECO E11 · Bogo-Indian Defense

Bogo-Indian Defense

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Bb4+

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White to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

4. Nbd2+0.43

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Bogo-Indian Defense (E11), reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Bb4+, Stockfish 18 recommends 4. Nbd2 for White. White is slightly better (+0.43).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.434. Nbd2 b6 5. a3 Bxd2+ 6. Bxd2 Bb7 7. g3 d6 8. Bg2 O-O
  2. +0.424. Bd2 a5 5. a3 Bxd2+ 6. Qxd2 O-O 7. e3 d6 8. Bd3 Qe7
  3. +0.194. Nc3 b6 5. Qb3 c5 6. a3 Ba5 7. e3 O-O 8. Be2 Ne4

All Bogo-Indian Defense variations (9)

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Bogo-Indian Defense?
After 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Bb4+, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4. Nbd2 for White, continuing b6 5. a3 Bxd2+ 6. Bxd2 Bb7 7. g3 d6 8. Bg2 O-O. White is slightly better (+0.43). The next best moves are 4. Bd2 (+0.42) and 4. Nc3 (+0.19).
Is the Bogo-Indian Defense a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.43: white is slightly better. Evaluations this early in the game are small, so practical results depend far more on knowing the plans and typical structures than on the engine's number.
What is the ECO code of the Bogo-Indian Defense?
E11. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; E is the volume for indian defenses.

Opening names from the Lichess opening book (CC0). Pieces by Colin M.L. Burnett (GPLv2+).