Chessy
How to play the English Opening: Anglo-Indian Defense, Old Indian Formation
After 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d6, White decides how to steer the game. This is a flexible structure, but it is not risk-free: the position is already a little better for White, so you need to know your plans. The good news is that the setup is natural and easy to handle if you stay alert to White’s most direct ideas. Use the drill below to practise meeting the main continuations and to avoid drifting into a passive position.
Play the English Opening: Anglo-Indian Defense, Old Indian Formation against the engine
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Create a free account →What the position is asking you to do
This opening usually leads to a calm but strategic game rather than an early tactical fight. As Black, your job is to keep your pieces coordinated, stay ready to meet White’s central expansion, and avoid giving White free space. The position after 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d6 is already slightly better for White, so you should treat the opening as one where accurate development matters. If you play too slowly, White can take the initiative without having to force anything.
The engine’s main suggestion
Stockfish rates this +0.57, a small edge for White. That means you are a little worse here and need to play carefully. The engine’s best move for White is d4, and the listed continuation is d4 g6 Nc3 Bg7, which shows the sort of calm development you should be ready for. Your practical aim is to answer White’s central play without letting the position become cramped.
What White plays most often
The database shows that White has several natural choices here, and they all keep the game flexible. The most-played continuation is d4 with 47,771 games and White scoring 50.2%. Nc3 is nearly just as common with 46,292 games and White scoring 50.2%, while g3 appears in 31,535 games and gives White 51.7%. The quieter moves e3, b3, and d3 also occur, so you should be ready for a wide range of setups rather than one forced line.
The move to watch out for
One known mistake in this position is b3, which is marked as an inaccuracy and loses about 0.7 pawns. The better move there is d4. That is useful for your training, because it tells you where White can slip: if White chooses a slow setup, you may get time to organise your pieces and meet the centre more comfortably. In the drill, look for the move that keeps White’s play most direct and punish anything that delays the central struggle.
Results across 150,458 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| d4 | 47,771 | 50.2% |
| Nc3 | 46,292 | 50.2% |
| g3 | 31,535 | 51.7% |
| e3 | 10,656 | 47.8% |
| b3 | 5,219 | 48.9% |
| d3 | 4,476 | 47.8% |
Frequently asked questions
Is this opening good for Black to play?
It is playable, but the evaluation is already a small edge for White. You should expect to defend a slightly worse position and focus on solid development and good piece coordination.
What is the main move for White here?
The engine’s best move is d4, and it is also the most-played continuation in the database. White is trying to claim the centre early, so you should be ready for that plan.
What should I expect after White plays aggressively in the centre?
The listed engine continuation is d4 g6 Nc3 Bg7, which suggests a smooth developing battle. Your task is to meet White’s central play with careful piece development rather than chasing pawns.
What mistake should I be ready to punish?
b3 is a known inaccuracy in this position and loses about 0.7 pawns. If White plays it, the better move is d4, so you can often gain time against a slower setup.
How many games feature the English Opening: Anglo-Indian Defense, Old Indian Formation?
Over 150K Lichess games have reached the English Opening: Anglo-Indian Defense, Old Indian Formation position. White wins 50.0%, Black wins 45.9%, with 4.1% draws — based on real rated games.