ECO A48 · East Indian Defense

East Indian Defense

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6

abcdefgh87654321
White to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

3. c4+0.36

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the East Indian Defense (A48), reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6, Stockfish 18 recommends 3. c4 for White. White is slightly better (+0.36).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.363. c4 Bg7 4. Nc3 d5 5. Qb3 c6 6. cxd5 cxd5 7. Bf4 O-O
  2. +0.283. e3 Bg7 4. c4 O-O 5. Be2 b6 6. O-O Bb7 7. Qc2 Na6
  3. +0.173. g3 d5 4. c4 dxc4 5. Qa4+ Nfd7 6. Qxc4 Nb6 7. Qc2 Bg7

All East Indian Defense variations (0)

    Frequently asked questions

    What is the best move in the East Indian Defense?
    After 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3. c4 for White, continuing Bg7 4. Nc3 d5 5. Qb3 c6 6. cxd5 cxd5 7. Bf4 O-O. White is slightly better (+0.36). The next best moves are 3. e3 (+0.28) and 3. g3 (+0.17).
    Is the East Indian Defense a good opening?
    Stockfish rates the position at +0.36: 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 East Indian Defense?
    A48. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; A is the volume for flank openings.

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