Chess opening · ECO A46
Indian Defense: Knights Variation
White answers 1...Nf6 with 2.Nf3 instead of 2.c4 in the Knights Variation. The knight guards e5 and d4 and keeps every option open: c4 can still come next and reach a main Indian line, or White can choose a quieter system such as the London, Colle or Torre. Black meets it with ...d5, ...g6 or ...e6.
- Rank by weighted share
- #43 of 159
Key moves
1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3
- 2. Nf3The knight covers e5, so a Budapest-style ...e5 just drops a pawn. It also prepares quick kingside castling. By delaying c4, White can wait to see Black's setup before committing the queenside pawns.
Systems that follow 2.Nf3
Bf4 with e3 builds the London; e3, Bd3 and c3 form the Colle; Bg5 gives the Torre, a cousin of the Trompowsky with the knight already on f3. Each keeps the d4 pawn supported and develops with little theory.
White can also play c4 on move three, and the game rejoins the King's Indian, Queen's Indian or Queen's Gambit structures.
Black's choice of pawn
2...d5 stakes a central claim and often leads to Queen's Gambit or London positions. 2...g6 heads for a fianchetto and a King's Indian setup. 2...e6 keeps Nimzo-Indian and Queen's Indian ideas in reserve, ready if White plays c4 next.
London against a fianchetto
2... g6 3. Bf4 Bg7 4. e3 O-O 5. Be2 d6 6. h3
White's bishop sits on f4 outside the pawn chain, and h3 gives it a retreat square on h2 while keeping Black's pieces off g4. Black's bishop on g7 sits behind its own f6 knight on the long diagonal, and the usual plan is to prepare ...c5 or ...e5 to hit White's center.
Top replies by rating
d5 leads below 1600, but g6 takes over from 1600 up and keeps growing, while d5 slips to third.
Questions
Does 2.Nf3 stop Black from playing a King's Indian?
No. Black can still play ...g6, ...Bg7, ...O-O and ...d6. White decides whether to add c4 and e4 for the classical setup or to stay with Bf4 and e3.
Related openings
Try it on the board. The first coached game and three analyses are free.