Chess opening · ECO A46

Indian Defense: Knights Variation

The Indian Defense: Knights Variation starts 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3. It ranks #43 of the 174 openings on this site by how often rated players on Lichess reach it.

The position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3. Black to move.

Move by move

  1. 1. d4White pushes the d-pawn two squares to d4, staking a claim in the center.
  2. 1... Nf6Black develops the kingside knight to f6.
  3. 2. Nf3White develops the kingside knight to f3.

What players choose next, by rating

The three most common Black moves from this position in rated Lichess games, grouped by the rating of the player making the move. Among players rated under 1200, the most popular next move is d5; among players rated 2000 and up, it is g6.

RatingMost commonSecondThird
Under 1200d5 33%e6 22%g6 16%
1200–1399d5 33%g6 22%e6 20%
1400–1599d5 30%e6 29%g6 24%
1600–1799g6 30%e6 27%d5 27%
1800–1999g6 37%e6 25%d5 20%
2000 and upg6 38%e6 29%d5 16%

Related openings

Indian DefenseThe line this one grows fromLondon SystemA variation of this line

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