Old Indian Defense
ECO A53-A55beginner
The Old Indian, 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 d6 followed by ...e5 and ...Be7, is the King's Indian's conservative ancestor: the same e5 strongpoint, but the bishop stays home on e7 rather than fianchettoing. Black's setup (...Nbd7, ...c6, ...Qc7, ...Re8) is nearly impossible to attack and prepares the same ...exd4 or kingside expansion ideas at reduced risk. It concedes the g7 bishop's dynamism — the engine calls it slightly passive — but as a low-theory, hard-to-lose answer to 1.d4 it has quietly served generations of solid players.
Main line
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 d6 3.Nc3 e5 4.Nf3 Nbd7 5.e4 Be7 6.Be2 O-O 7.O-O c6
Diagram shows the position after 6 half-moves of the main line. On SpeakChess you can drill this line move by move — the trainer plays the other side and corrects you instantly, then spaced repetition schedules each variation so you review it right before you would forget it.
Win rates by rating
Results from real online games, measured after the line shown in each row. Most opening sites show one aggregate number — how an opening scores depends heavily on who is playing it.
| Rating | Games | White wins | Draws | Black wins | Position after |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 400-600 | 42 | 50% | 2.4% | 47.6% | 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 |
| 600-800 | 36 | 41.7% | 8.3% | 50% | 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 d6 3.Nc3 g6 |
| 800-1000 | 35 | 57.1% | 0% | 42.9% | 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 d6 3.Nc3 g6 4.e4 Bg7 5.Nf3 O-O 6.Be2 |
| 1000-1200 | 77 | 55.8% | 3.9% | 40.3% | 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 d6 3.Nc3 g6 4.e4 Bg7 5.Nf3 O-O 6.Be2 e5 |
| 1200-1400 | 196 | 43.4% | 2% | 54.6% | 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 d6 3.Nc3 g6 4.e4 Bg7 5.Nf3 O-O 6.Be2 e5 |
Most played continuations (1200-1400 rating)
After 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 d6 3.Nc3 g6 4.e4 Bg7 5.Nf3 O-O 6.Be2 e5:
- d5 — played 53.1% of the time (White wins 43.3%, draws 1.9%, Black wins 54.8%)
- dxe5 — played 23% of the time (White wins 37.8%, draws 4.4%, Black wins 57.8%)
- O-O — played 16.3% of the time (White wins 50%, draws 0%, Black wins 50%)
Frequently asked questions
Why play the Old Indian instead of the King's Indian?
Safety and simplicity: without ...g6 there is no fianchetto to attack with h4-h5 or Be3/Qd2 setups, the theory is a fraction of the KID's, and the e5 strongpoint plans are identical in spirit. You give up the g7 bishop's long-diagonal power — the KID's main winning engine — for a sturdier hull.
What should White do against the Old Indian?
Claim space and keep pieces on: the standard plan is e4, Be2, 0-0 and d5 (or maintaining tension with Re1 and Bf1), then queenside expansion with b4 and c5. Black's position bends but rarely breaks — White's edge comes from space and patience, not forcing lines.
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