1.d4 — the closed and Indian games
Old Indian Defence
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 d6ECO A53–A55
The solid forerunner of the King's Indian: Black plays …d6 and …e5 to strike at the centre, but develops the bishop modestly to e7 rather than fianchettoing. Less sharp than the King's Indian, it's a sound, easy-to-learn system built on the …e5 break.
Key ideas
- Black aims for …e5, …Nbd7 and …Be7, a compact setup that contests the centre without early risk.
- The …exd4 or …e4 breaks free Black's game once development is complete.
- It leads to slower, manoeuvring middlegames — a good practical choice for players who dislike heavy theory.
Who it suits
Players who want a solid, low-theory answer to 1.d4 with clear central plans.
Add it to your repertoire.
Drill the Old Indian Defence move by move against the board until it's second nature.
Open the trainer