Chessy
How to Play the Indian Defense: Pawn Push Variation: g6 as White
After 1.d4 Nf6 2.d5 g6 3.Nc3, you have reached the Indian Defense: Pawn Push Variation with g6. Black is to move, and you are White. The engine evaluates this position at +0.10 — a tiny plus for White, which in practice means dead level. Neither side is better out of the opening. Across nearly 81,000 games in the Lichess database, Black actually scores 52.5%, so there is real work to do. The drill below will test you against Black's most common replies and help you find the right responses. Play through the position now and see how you handle it.
Play the Indian Defense: Pawn Push Variation: g6 against the engine
Free, no signup — you play white, the engine adapts to your level.
Set up the position on the interactive board below and practise meeting Black's different replies. Create a free Chessy account to track your progress and keep
Create a free account →What You Are Fighting For
With 2.d5, you immediately grabbed space in the centre, challenging Black's knight on f6. After Black fianchettoes with ...g6 and you develop with 3.Nc3, the position is symmetrical in a sense: both sides have flexible setups. You are fighting for the d5-pawn's safety and for a smooth development scheme. Black will often aim for ...Bg7, putting pressure down the long diagonal, and then try to chip away at your centre with moves like ...c6 or ...d6. Your goal is to complete development, keep the centre stable, and look for chances to expand on the queenside or in the centre later.
The Engine's Best Reply and Why
Stockfish's top recommendation for Black here is 3...c6, continuing with 4.e4 d6 5.Be2. Black immediately challenges your d5-pawn. By answering with 4.e4, you reinforce the centre and open lines for your bishop and queen. Then 4...d6 and 5.Be2 is a solid, natural development that keeps your position healthy. If Black does not play 3...c6, you will often face other setups — but understanding this line helps you grasp the key idea: when Black strikes at d5, you bolster it with e4 and develop calmly.
What the Statistics Reveal
The database of 80,901 games tells a clear story about Black's choices and your chances: - 3...Bg7 (59,879 games, by far the most popular) — White scores 43.8%. This is the main line. Black fianchettoes as expected. - 3...d6 (14,656 games) — White scores 43.2%. Black prepares ...Bg7 or ...c6. - 3...c6 (4,256 games) — White scores 44.1%. The engine's best move. - 3...e6 (981 games) — White scores 51.3%, your best winning percentage. - 3...c5 (358 games) — White scores 46.9%. - 3...b6 (345 games) — White scores 52.5%, your second-best result. The pattern is clear: against the most common replies, the position is razor-sharp and Black scores slightly over 50%. But when Black plays the inaccuracies listed below, your results improve noticeably.
Punish Black's Mistakes
Three of Black's options here are classified as inaccuracies by Stockfish. Knowing them helps you take advantage: - 3...e6 is an inaccuracy (loses ~0.7 pawns; better was 3...c6). White scores 51.3% here — your best rate among common moves. The move ...e6 weakens Black's dark squares and allows you to push d5-d6 or develop with tempo. - 3...c5 is an inaccuracy (loses ~0.8 pawns; better was 3...Bg7). White scores 46.9%. The ...c5 move blocks the dark-squared bishop and gives you a stable space advantage. - 3...b6 is an inaccuracy (loses ~0.8 pawns; better was 3...Bg7). White scores 52.5% — your second-best result. Black's ...b6 does not challenge your centre directly and leaves the knight on f6 undefended. If your opponent plays any of these three moves, you have a clear chance to take over the game. Develop naturally, keep the centre strong, and look for ways to exploit the weaknesses Black has created.
Results across 80,901 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Bg7 | 59,879 | 43.8% |
| d6 | 14,656 | 43.2% |
| c6 | 4,256 | 44.1% |
| e6 | 981 | 51.3% |
| c5 | 358 | 46.9% |
| b6 | 345 | 52.5% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Indian Defense: Pawn Push Variation good for White?
The engine rates it at +0.10, a tiny plus for White, meaning the position is essentially equal. In practice, Black scores slightly better (52.5% across 80,901 games), so you need to play accurately to avoid falling behind. It is a solid, respectable opening for White, not an aggressive try for an early advantage.
What is the best move for Black after 1.d4 Nf6 2.d5 g6 3.Nc3?
According to Stockfish, Black's best move is 3...c6, planning to challenge your d5-pawn. The engine's suggested continuation is 4.e4 d6 5.Be2, reinforcing the centre. Black's next most popular move is 3...Bg7, played in 59,879 games.
What should I do if Black plays 3...e6?
3...e6 is an inaccuracy that loses about 0.7 pawns. White scores 51.3% after this move, your best winning chance. You can continue with natural development — likely pushing e4 or developing your bishop — since ...e6 weakens Black's dark squares and does not challenge your centre effectively.
How do I handle Black's most common reply 3...Bg7?
After 3...Bg7 (59,879 games), White scores 43.8%. You should continue developing with moves like e4, preparing to solidify the centre, or consider Be3 and Qd2. The position remains balanced, so focus on finishing development and keeping your pawn structure intact rather than forcing an attack.