Old Indian: 5.e4 Be7

Before the first move

The Old Indian Defense is a solid, resilient system where Black avoids the early kingside fianchetto of the King's Indian. Instead, Black builds a compact center with d6 and e5, aiming for a flexible setup that can withstand White's space advantage while preparing for a timely counter-strike.

1. d4White · your move

Move your pawn to d4. This establishes an immediate presence in the center and opens paths for your queen and dark-squared bishop. It is the most classical way to start a game based on positional control.

1... Nf6Black

Black replies with Nf6, the most popular response to d4. By controlling e4, Black prevents White from grabbing the full center. Other rare but playable options include the Englund Gambit with e5 or the solid Horwitz Defense with e6.

Other paths here: Na6 (Australian Defense) · g5 (Borg Defense: Borg Gambit) · b6 (English Defense) · e5 (Englund Gambit)

2. c4White · your move

Push your pawn to c4. This is the standard follow-up to d4, increasing your control over the d5-square and preparing to develop your knight behind the pawn. You are building a powerful central wedge.

Other paths here: f4 (Canard Opening) · g4 (Indian Defense: Gibbins-Weidenhagen Gambit) · e4 (Indian Defense: Omega Gambit) · d5 (Indian Defense: Pawn Push Variation)

2... d6Black

Black chooses d6, opting for a cramped but sturdy setup. This distinguishes the Old Indian from the Queen's Indian Accelerated with b6 or the Mexican Defense with Nc6. Black is content to wait and react to White's central expansion.

Other paths here: g5 (Indian Defense: Medusa Gambit) · b5 (Indian Defense: Pyrenees Gambit) · a6 (Indian: 2.c4 a6) · Nc6 (Mexican Defense)

3. Nc3White · your move

Develop your knight to c3. This move puts more pressure on the d5 and e4 squares, preparing to support a full central occupation. It is a natural developing move that keeps your pieces working together.

Other paths here: g4 (Old Indian Defense: Aged Gibbon Gambit) · g3 (Old Indian: 3.g3) · Nf3 (Old Indian: 3.Nf3)

3... e5Black

Black strikes back with e5, the defining move of the system. This forces White to make a decision about the central tension. Instead of this, Black sometimes tries the Janowski Variation with Bf5 or the Czech Variation with c6.

Other paths here: c6 (Old Indian Defense: Czech Variation, with Nc3) · Bf5 (Old Indian Defense: Janowski Variation) · Nbd7 (Old Indian: 3.Nc3 Nbd7)

4. Nf3White · your move

Develop your knight to f3. This move adds a defender to d4 and prepares for kingside castling. You are maintaining the tension in the center rather than resolving it too early with a pawn trade.

Other paths here: d5 (Old Indian: Ukrainian, 4.d5) · dxe5 (Old Indian: Ukrainian, 4.dxe5) · e3 (Old Indian: Ukranian, 4.e3) · e4 (Old Indian: Ukranian, 4.e4)

4... Nbd7Black

Black plays Nbd7, a typical maneuver in these structures. This reinforces e5 and keeps the knight flexible. Black occasionally tries the more forcing e4 or the immediate trade on d4, but Nbd7 is the main line of the Old Indian.

Other paths here: e4 (Old Indian: 4.Nf3 e4) · exd4 (Old Indian: 4.Nf3 exd4) · Nc6 (Old Indian: 4.Nf3 Nc6)

5. e4White · your move

Push your pawn to e4. You have now established a classical 'Big Center' with pawns on c4, d4, and e4. This gives you a significant space advantage and restricts Black's minor pieces.

Other paths here: Bg5 (Old Indian: 5.Bg5) · e3 (Old Indian: 5.e3) · g3 (Old Indian: 5.g3)

5... Be7Black

Black plays Be7, completing the Old Indian setup. This is more conservative than the King's Indian g6, which would lead to a different type of game. Black is now ready to castle and begin searching for central counterplay.

Other paths here: c6 (Old Indian: 5.e4 c6) · g6 (Old Indian: 5.e4 g6)

Where you stand

White holds a significant space advantage with a powerful pawn center, while Black has a very solid and compact position. White will likely develop the light-squared bishop and castle, while Black will look for the c6 and a6 pawn breaks or a well-timed trade on d4 to create breathing room for their pieces.

• f1-e2 Develop the bishop to prepare castling
• e1-g1 Castle kingside to secure the king
• e8-g8 Castle kingside to finish development
• d7-c5 Maneuver the knight to pressure e4
• c7-c6 Prepare c6 to challenge the center