ECO A46 · Indian Defense

Indian Defense: London System

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. Bf4

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

3… d5+0.18

The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Indian Defense: London System (A46), reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. Bf4, Stockfish 18 recommends 3… d5 for Black. The position is roughly equal (+0.18).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.183… d5 4. e3 Bd6 5. Bd3 Bxf4 6. exf4 O-O 7. c3 c5 8. dxc5
  2. +0.233… c5 4. e3 d5 5. Be2 Qb6 6. Nc3 Bd7 7. O-O Be7 8. a4
  3. +0.263… Be7 4. c4 O-O 5. Nc3 d5 6. e3 c5 7. dxc5 Bxc5 8. a3

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Indian Defense: London System?
After 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. Bf4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3… d5 for Black, continuing 4. e3 Bd6 5. Bd3 Bxf4 6. exf4 O-O 7. c3 c5 8. dxc5. The position is roughly equal (+0.18). The next best moves are 3… c5 (+0.23) and 3… Be7 (+0.26).
Is the Indian Defense: London System a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.18: the position is roughly equal. 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: London System?
A46. 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+).