ECO A45 · Indian Defense

Indian Defense

1. d4 Nf6

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

2. c4+0.31

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Indian Defense (A45), reached after 1. d4 Nf6, Stockfish 18 recommends 2. c4 for White. White is slightly better (+0.31).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.312. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 dxc4 5. Qa4+ Bd7 6. Qxc4 Na6
  2. +0.272. Nf3 d5 3. c4 c6 4. e3 Bf5 5. Nc3 e6 6. Nh4 Bg6
  3. +0.212. Bf4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. e3 Bd6 5. Bb5+ Nbd7 6. O-O O-O

Other move orders

  • 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Qb3

All Indian Defense variations (51)

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Indian Defense?
After 1. d4 Nf6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 2. c4 for White, continuing e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 dxc4 5. Qa4+ Bd7 6. Qxc4 Na6. White is slightly better (+0.31). The next best moves are 2. Nf3 (+0.27) and 2. Bf4 (+0.21).
Is the Indian Defense a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.31: 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 Indian Defense?
A45. 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+).