Chessy
Indian Defense: Anti-Grünfeld, Advance Variation
After 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.d5, White grabs space and asks Black to prove that the kingside fianchetto can still work comfortably. The position is very balanced at the start, but it is also a real test of understanding: one careless pawn move can hand White an easier game, while accurate play keeps everything under control. Use the drill to learn what Black is aiming for, which replies are most common, and where the first practical mistake appears.
Play the Indian Defense: Anti-Grünfeld, Advance Variation against the engine
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Create a free account →What this advance is trying to do
With 3.d5, White claims space straight away and fixes the structure before Black can challenge the centre in the usual way. That extra space can make Black’s development feel cramped if you do not follow it up well. Your job is not to attack recklessly, but to use the space to gain time, keep Black under pressure, and make sure your pieces come out smoothly. If you play this system, you are usually looking for a calm but slightly uncomfortable middlegame for Black, not an immediate knockout.
The engine’s main reply
Stockfish rates this +0.14, a tiny edge for White. That means you are effectively equal here and should not expect the opening to win by itself. The engine’s best move is d6, and the listed continuation is d6 Nc3 Bg7 e4. This is the kind of reply you need to recognise in the drill: Black challenges your space in a controlled way and keeps the game headed toward normal development rather than chaos.
What the database says
Across 170,230 games at this exact position, White wins 43.1%, draws 3.7%, and Black wins 53.2%. That tells you Black has scored better in practice, so you should treat this as a position where accuracy matters. The most common continuation is Bg7, with 123,757 games and White scoring 42.8%. Other popular replies are d6, c6, e6, c5, and e5, so you will see several different pawn structures after the opening move order.
The one mistake to know
The main listed mistake here is c5, which is marked as an inaccuracy and loses about 0.8 pawns; the better move was c6. That is a very useful practical warning for White players, because it tells you that not every active-looking pawn push is sound. In the drill, pay attention to whether Black chooses a move that supports the centre cleanly, or whether they drift into a weaker structure you can outplay later.
Results across 170,230 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Bg7 | 123,757 | 42.8% |
| d6 | 31,048 | 43.7% |
| c6 | 10,143 | 43.7% |
| e6 | 2,007 | 46.2% |
| c5 | 1,897 | 46.1% |
| e5 | 433 | 43.9% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Indian Defense: Anti-Grünfeld, Advance Variation good for White?
It is playable and principled for White, but it is not an opening that should be treated as an automatic advantage. The engine gives +0.14, so the position is basically level, and the database results show Black has scored better in practice.
What is the best move for Black after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.d5?
The engine’s best move is d6. The listed continuation is d6 Nc3 Bg7 e4, which shows Black aiming for solid development and direct pressure on White’s centre.
What should I expect from the most common reply?
The most common continuation is Bg7, and it appears very often in the database. That means you should be comfortable facing the kingside fianchetto setup and understand that Black usually wants a stable, flexible middlegame.
Which move should I avoid if I want to stay accurate?
The known mistake is c5, which is called an inaccuracy and loses about 0.8 pawns. The better move was c6, so that is the kind of detail this drill helps you spot quickly.
How many games feature the Indian Defense: Anti-Grünfeld, Advance Variation?
Over 170K Lichess games have reached the Indian Defense: Anti-Grünfeld, Advance Variation position. White wins 43.1%, Black wins 53.2%, with 3.7% draws — based on real rated games.