Indian Defense · A46

Knights Variation, Alburt-Miles Variation

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 a6

In the centre, White holds d4.

The first 4 moves, explained

• 1. d4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling e5, and frees the bishop and queen.
• 1... Nf6 Develops the knight to f6, eyeing d5 and e4.
• 2. Nf3 Develops the knight to f3, eyeing d4 and e5. It also props up the d4 pawn. Theory calls this the Knights Variation.
• 2... a6 A useful waiting move that keeps the structure flexible on the a-file. Theory calls this the Alburt-Miles Variation.

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