Chessy
Old Indian Defense: play the position as Black
The Old Indian Defense begins with 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 d6, and from there White chooses the next test. This is a position where you need patience more than memorisation: keep your pieces active, stay compact, and know which replies are most common. The drill below lets you practise the exact position that appears most often, so you can get used to meeting White’s main tries without guessing over the board.
Play the Old Indian Defense against the engine
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Create a free account →What the position is really asking you
After 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 d6, White has a comfortable space advantage and the burden is on you to stay solid. The Stockfish evaluation is +0.57, so this is a small edge in your opponent’s favour. That does not mean you are lost; it means you should play carefully, develop smoothly, and avoid giving White extra help. Your main job is to keep the position healthy and make White prove the advantage.
The engine’s main recommendation
The engine’s best move here is Nf3, continuing Nf3 g6 Nc3 Bg7. That tells you the most reliable Black setups are usually calm and flexible. In practical terms, you want to finish development, keep your king safe, and be ready to meet White’s central and kingside ideas without rushing. If you play this opening, you should be happy in positions where structure and piece placement matter more than early tactics.
What your opponents usually choose
This exact position has been reached in 4,264,986 games on Lichess, so there is a lot of practical experience to draw on. The most-played continuations are Nc3, Nf3, e3, Bg5, d5, and g3. That makes this a very useful drill position: you are not learning a rare sideline, you are learning the most common ways White tries to steer the game. Be ready for different move orders, but keep your response ideas simple and consistent.
The moves that cause trouble
Three moves are flagged as inaccuracies here: Bg5, d5, and g3. Bg5 is an inaccuracy and loses about 0.6 pawns, with Nf3 as the better move. d5 is also an inaccuracy and loses about 0.6 pawns, with Nc3 as the better move. g3 is likewise an inaccuracy and loses about 0.6 pawns, again with Nc3 as the better move. For you, that means the most forcing-looking ideas from White are not necessarily the most accurate ones, and you can often rely on solid development and good piece placement to punish them.
Results across 4,264,986 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Nc3 | 3,000,487 | 49.6% |
| Nf3 | 570,729 | 49.0% |
| e3 | 262,833 | 46.9% |
| Bg5 | 146,355 | 47.7% |
| d5 | 71,621 | 45.3% |
| g3 | 57,781 | 50.6% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Old Indian Defense good for Black?
It is playable, but you should know the truth about the position: White has a small edge here. The evaluation is +0.57, so your goal is to stay solid, develop well, and make White work for the advantage rather than handing over more.
What is Black’s main idea after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 d6?
Black usually aims for a compact setup and smooth development. The engine’s best continuation here includes Nf3, then g6, Nc3, and Bg7, which shows the kind of calm piece placement that fits this opening.
Which White replies should I expect most often?
The most-played continuations from this position are Nc3, Nf3, e3, Bg5, d5, and g3. If you practise this exact setup, you will be meeting the moves White chooses most often in real games.
Are there any common mistakes for White here?
Yes. Bg5, d5, and g3 are all marked as inaccuracies in this position, each losing about 0.6 pawns. The good news for Black is that these moves can give you a clearer path if you keep your position sound.
How many games feature the Old Indian Defense?
Over 4 million Lichess games have reached the Old Indian Defense position. White wins 49.1%, Black wins 46.8%, with 4.1% draws — based on real rated games.