Indian Defense · A43
Pseudo-Benko
1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 c5 3. d5 b5
In the centre, White holds d5.
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... c5 Challenges the pawn on d4 - the central tension has to resolve. Theory calls this the Spielmann-Indian.
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Where this fits
This line is one of 53 in the Indian Defense. If you want to know where your own games leave it, the guide on leaving theory explains how that is found.