ECO A53 · Old Indian Defense

Old Indian Defense: Janowski Variation

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nc3 Bf5

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

4. Nf3+0.71

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Old Indian Defense: Janowski Variation (A53), reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nc3 Bf5, Stockfish 18 recommends 4. Nf3 for White. White is slightly better (+0.71).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.714. Nf3 Na6 5. h3 h6 6. g4 Bh7 7. Bg2 e6 8. d5 Nd7
  2. +0.704. g3 e6 5. Bg2 d5 6. cxd5 exd5 7. Qb3 Nc6 8. Bg5 Bb4
  3. +0.594. Qb3 Nc6 5. e3 a5 6. a3 Qc8 7. f3 Bd7 8. Bd3 g6

Variations

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Old Indian Defense: Janowski Variation?
After 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nc3 Bf5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4. Nf3 for White, continuing Na6 5. h3 h6 6. g4 Bh7 7. Bg2 e6 8. d5 Nd7. White is slightly better (+0.71). The next best moves are 4. g3 (+0.70) and 4. Qb3 (+0.59).
Is the Old Indian Defense: Janowski Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.71: 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 Old Indian Defense: Janowski Variation?
A53. 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+).