Chessy
Indian Defense: Reversed Chigorin Defense — play Black well
After 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 c5, you reach a position where White moves first but Black is already set for active play. This opening is sharp in idea, but not risk-free: the position is slightly better for White according to the engine, so your job is to meet White’s natural plans with accurate moves and good central play. The drill below helps you practise the critical reply and learn which moves tend to drift away from the best continuation.
Play the Indian Defense: Reversed Chigorin Defense against the engine
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Play the drill and practise the key reply for Black. Create a free account to train this position and other openings.
Create a free account →The main issue: who gets the easier game?
Stockfish rates this +0.60, a small edge for White. That means you are slightly worse here. The position is still very playable for Black, but you should expect White to try to use the extra space and central chances. Your aim is to stay active, avoid loosening your structure, and answer White’s central move with the right counterplay.
The move that keeps you on track
The engine’s best move here is d5. That is the move to anchor your thinking in this position. The continuation given is d5 e6 e4 d6, which shows the kind of central tension and piece play you should be ready for. In practical terms, this is not about memorising a long line — it is about understanding that a timely central break is the most reliable way to meet White’s setup.
What the database says White usually does
Across 255,421 games at this exact position, White wins 44.7%, draws 3.3%, and Black wins 52.1%. That is a useful reminder that this opening can be handled well by Black in practice if you know the critical ideas. The most-played continuations are d5, dxc5, Bf4, e4, Nf3, and e3, so you will often face one of these standard plans rather than something unusual.
The moves to be ready for
The most common continuation is d5, with 96,541 games, and White scores 47.6% there. The other major choices are dxc5 with 65,190 games and White scoring 42.9%, Bf4 with 27,049 games and White scoring 42.9%, e4 with 22,052 games and White scoring 44.1%, Nf3 with 20,641 games and White scoring 42.1%, and e3 with 11,493 games and White scoring 41.7%. The big practical lesson is simple: White has several natural developing moves, but Black’s best response is still to stay focused on the centre.
Common mistakes you should punish
Two developing moves are flagged as inaccurate here: e4 and Nf3. Both lose about 0.7 pawns, and in both cases the better move was d5. Bf4 is marked as a mistake and loses about 1.2 pawns, again with d5 as the better move. When White chooses one of these moves, your task is to remember that the position rewards active central play rather than passive waiting.
Results across 255,421 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| d5 | 96,541 | 47.6% |
| dxc5 | 65,190 | 42.9% |
| Bf4 | 27,049 | 42.9% |
| e4 | 22,052 | 44.1% |
| Nf3 | 20,641 | 42.1% |
| e3 | 11,493 | 41.7% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the main idea of the Indian Defense: Reversed Chigorin Defense?
Black’s main idea is to answer White’s first moves with active play rather than sitting back. In this position, the engine’s best move is d5, so central counterplay is the key theme. If you keep that in mind, the opening is much easier to handle.
Is this position good for Black?
It is playable for Black, but the engine gives +0.60, a small edge for White. That means you are slightly worse, so you need accurate moves. The database still shows Black scoring 52.1% across 255,421 games at this exact position.
Which move should I learn first here?
Learn d5 first. It is the engine’s best move and the most important practical answer in this position. The listed continuation d5 e6 e4 d6 shows the central battle you are trying to reach.
What should I do if White plays one of the common developing moves?
If White plays Bf4, e4, or Nf3, the notes all point back to d5 as the better move. Those moves are common, so it is worth knowing that the position rewards central accuracy. Your drill should help you spot that plan quickly over the board.
How many games feature the Indian Defense: Reversed Chigorin Defense?
Over 255K Lichess games have reached the Indian Defense: Reversed Chigorin Defense position. White wins 44.7%, Black wins 52.1%, with 3.3% draws — based on real rated games.