ECO A53 · Old Indian Defense

Old Indian Defense: Janowski Variation, Main Line

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nc3 Bf5 4. f3

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

4… e5+0.70

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Old Indian Defense: Janowski Variation, Main Line (A53), reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nc3 Bf5 4. f3, Stockfish 18 recommends 4… e5 for Black. White is slightly better (+0.70).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.704… e5 5. e4 exd4 6. Qxd4 Nc6 7. Qd2 Be6 8. b3 g6 9. Bb2
  2. +0.834… Bg6 5. e4 e5 6. h4 Be7 7. Be3 h6 8. Nge2 Nfd7 9. Bf2
  3. +0.884… Bd7 5. e4 e5 6. Be3 Be7 7. Nge2 a6 8. Qd2 b5 9. g4

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Old Indian Defense: Janowski Variation, Main Line?
After 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nc3 Bf5 4. f3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4… e5 for Black, continuing 5. e4 exd4 6. Qxd4 Nc6 7. Qd2 Be6 8. b3 g6 9. Bb2. White is slightly better (+0.70). The next best moves are 4… Bg6 (+0.83) and 4… Bd7 (+0.88).
Is the Old Indian Defense: Janowski Variation, Main Line a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.70: 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, Main Line?
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+).