Indian Defence

Chess opening

Indian Defence

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Moves| 1.d4 Nf6
ECO|

* A45–A79
* D70–D99
* E00–E99

Parent| Queen's Pawn Game

In the game of chess, Indian Defence or Indian Game is a broad term for a group of openings characterised by the moves:

1\. d4 Nf6[1]

They are all to varying degrees hypermodern defences, where Black invites White to establish an imposing presence in the centre with the plan of undermining and ultimately destroying it. Although the Indian defences were championed in the 1920s by players in the hypermodern school, they were not fully accepted until Russian players showed in the late 1940s that these systems are sound for Black. Since then, the Indian defences have become a popular way for Black to respond to 1.d4 because they often offer a balanced game with winning chances for both sides. Transpositions are important and many variations can be reached by several move orders. It is also possible to transpose back into classical openings such as the Queen's Gambit and the Slav Defence; these are not considered "Indian" openings.

The usual White second move is 2.c4, grabbing a larger share of the centre and allowing the move Nc3, to prepare for moving the e-pawn to e4 without blocking the c-pawn with the knight. Black's most popular replies are

* 2...e6, freeing the king's bishop and leading into the Nimzo-Indian Defence, Queen's Indian Defence, Bogo-Indian Defence, Modern Benoni, Catalan Opening, or regular lines of the Queen's Gambit Declined,
* 2...g6, preparing a fianchetto of the king's bishop and entering the King's Indian Defence or Grünfeld Defence, and
* 2...c5, the Benoni Defence, with an immediate counterpunch in the center,

but other moves are played as detailed below.

Instead of 2.c4, White often plays 2.Nf3. Then Black may play 2...d5 which may transpose to a Queen's Gambit after 3.c4. Or Black may play 2...e6 which retains possibilities of transposing to a Queen's Gambit or Queen's Indian Defence. Alternatively, 2...g6 may transpose to a King's Indian Defence or Grünfeld Defence, while 2...c5 invites transposition to a Benoni. White can deny Black any of these transpositions by refraining from c2–c4 over the next several moves.

On the second move, White can also play 2.Bg5, the Trompowsky Attack. Black can respond 2...Ne4 (see 1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5 Ne4), or 2...e6 (see 1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5 e6), among other moves. A third alternative for White is 2.Bf4, the London System. Another alternative is 2.Nc3. Then Black may play 2...d5, after which 3.Bg5 is the Richter-Veresov Attack (D01, see 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5). Black may also play 2...g6 (see 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 g6).

This article uses algebraic notation to describe chess moves.

## History

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The earliest known use of the term "Indian Defence" was in 1884, and the name was attributed to the openings used by the Indian player Moheschunder Bannerjee against John Cochrane.[2] Philip W. Sergeant describes Moheschunder as having been as of 1848 "a Brahman in the Mofussil--up country, as we might say--who had never been beaten at chess!"[3] Sergeant wrote in 1934 (substituting algebraic notation for his descriptive notation):[4]

> The Indian Defences by g6 coupled with d6, or b6 coupled with e6, were largely taught to European players by the example of Moheschunder and other Indians, to whom the fianchetto developments were a natural legacy from their own game. The fondness for them of the present Indian champion of British chess, Mir Sultan Khan, is well known. But they are now so widely popular that Dr. S. G. Tartakover was able to declare, some years ago, that "to-day fianchettos are trumps." A sequel hardly to have been anticipated from the discovery of Moheschunder in the Mofussil!

In the following game, Moheschunder (Black) plays the Grünfeld Defence against Cochrane in 1855--some 38 years before Ernst Grünfeld was born.

John Cochrane vs. Moheschunder Bannerjee, May 1855:
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.e3 Bg7 5.Nf3 0-0 6.cxd5 Nxd5 7.Be2 Nxc3 8.bxc3 c5 9.0-0 cxd4 10.cxd4 Nc6 11.Bb2 Bg4 12.Rc1 Rc8 13.Ba3 Qa5 14.Qb3 Rfe8 15.Rc5 Qb6 16.Rb5 Qd8 17.Ng5 Bxe2 18.Nxf7 Na5 and White mates in three (19.Nh6+ double check Kh8 20.Qg8+ Rxg8 21.Nf7#).[5][6]

Another of the games between these players transposed to what would today be called the Four Pawns Attack against the King's Indian Defence. This time Moheschunder, as Black, won after some enterprising (and perhaps dubious) sacrificial play:

1.e4 d6 2.d4 g6 3.c4 Bg7 4.Nc3 Nf6 5.f4 0-0 6.Nf3 Bg4 7.Bd3? e5! 8.fxe5 dxe5 9.d5 Nxe4!? 10.Nxe4 f5 11.Neg5 e4 12.Ne6 exf3! 13.Nxd8?! fxg2 14.Rg1 Bxd1 15.Ne6 Bg4 16.Nxf8 Kxf8 17.Rxg2 Nd7 18.Bf4 Nc5 19.Kd2 Rc8 20.Kc2 Bf3 21.Rf2 Nxd3 22.Kxd3 Be4+ 23.Ke3 b5 24.cxb5 Bxd5 25.Rd2 Bc4 26.Rad1 Bf6 27.Bh6+ Kg8 28.Kf4 Re8 29.b3 Bxb5 30.Rc1 Be2! 31.Re1 Re4+ 32.Kg3 Bh4+ 0–1[7]

The term "Indian Defence" was popularized by Savielly Tartakower in the early 1920s. In his 1924 book Die hypermoderne Schachpartie, Tartakower classifies the Indian Defences under the broad headings "Old Indian" (...d6 and eventual ...g6) and "Neo-Indian" (...e6 and eventual ...b6). Under the heading "Old Indian", he considers the openings now known as the King's Indian and Grünfeld Defences. He also proposes the names "Proto-Indian" for 1.d4 d6, "Pseudo-Indian" for 1.d4 c5, "Semi-Indian" for 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 and "Three Quarter Indian" for 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nd2, none of which came into wider use.[8]

The modern names "King's Indian Defence", "Queen's Indian Defence", "Old Indian Defence" and "King's Indian Attack" were attributed by Richard Reti to Hans Kmoch, though Réti himself did not approve of these terms. Réti also attributed to Kmoch the terms "All Indian Defence" (where Black fianchettoes both bishops after 1.d4 Nf6) and "Queen's Indian Attack" (where White opens 1.Nf3 and 2.b3) but these did not come into general use.[9]

## Main lines beginning 2.c4

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### 2...e6

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#### Nimzo-Indian Defence: 3.Nc3 Bb4

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Nimzo-Indian Defence

Advocated by Nimzowitsch as early as 1913, the Nimzo-Indian Defence was the first of the Indian systems to gain full acceptance. It remains one of the most popular and well-respected defences to 1.d4, and White often chooses move orders designed to avoid it. Black attacks the centre with pieces and is prepared to trade a bishop for a knight to weaken White's queenside with doubled pawns.

#### Queen's Indian Defence: 3.Nf3 b6

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Queen's Indian Defence

The Queen's Indian Defence is considered solid, safe, and perhaps somewhat drawish. Black often chooses the Queen's Indian when White avoids the Nimzo-Indian by playing 3.Nf3 instead of 3.Nc3. Black constructs a sound position that makes no positional concessions, although sometimes it is difficult for Black to obtain good winning chances. Karpov is a leading expert in this opening. Many Queen's Indian Defence players also play the Nimzo-Indian Defence, and in fact the line 3.Nf3 b6 4.Nc3 Bb4 is sometimes called the "Nimzo/Queen's Indian Hybrid" or similar, and could be classified under either opening.

#### Bogo-Indian Defence: 3.Nf3 Bb4+

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The Bogo-Indian Defence is a solid alternative to the Queen's Indian, into which it sometimes transposes. It is less popular than that opening, however, perhaps because many players are loath to surrender the bishop pair (particularly without doubling White's pawns), as Black often ends up doing after 4.Nbd2. The classical 4.Bd2 Qe7 is also often seen, although more recently 4...a5!? and even 4...c5!? have emerged as alternatives. Transposition to the Nimzo-Indian with 4.Nc3 is perfectly playable but rarely seen, since most players who play 3.Nf3 do so in order to avoid that opening.

#### Blumenfeld Countergambit: 3.Nf3 c5 4.d5 b5

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Blumenfeld Countergambit

The Blumenfeld Countergambit bears a superficial but misleading resemblance to the Benko Gambit, as Black's goals are very different. Black gambits a wing pawn in an attempt to build a strong centre. White can either accept the gambit or decline it to maintain a small positional advantage. Although the Blumenfeld offers dynamic play for Black, it is not very popular due to its riskiness.

#### Catalan Opening: 3.g3, 4.Bg2

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The Catalan Opening features a quick fianchetto of White's king's bishop.

#### Others

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* 3.Nf3 b5 Polish Defence
* 3.Nf3 Ne4 Döry Defence (see 1.d4 Nf6 sidelines)
* 3.Bg5 Neo-Indian Attack (see 1.d4 Nf6 sidelines)
* 3.a3?! Australian Attack [citation needed]

### 2...g6

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#### Grünfeld Defence: 3.Nc3 d5

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Grünfeld Defence

Ernst Grünfeld debuted the Grünfeld Defence in 1922. Distinguished by the move 3...d5, Grünfeld intended it as an improvement to the King's Indian which was not considered entirely satisfactory at that time. The Grünfeld has been adopted by World Champions Smyslov, Fischer, and Kasparov.

#### King's Indian Defence: 3.Nc3 Bg7

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King's Indian Defence

The King's Indian Defence is aggressive and somewhat risky, and generally indicates that Black will not be satisfied with a draw. Although it was played occasionally as early as the late 19th century, the King's Indian was considered inferior until the 1940s when it was featured in the games of Bronstein, Boleslavsky, and Reshevsky. It was Fischer's favoured defence to 1.d4, but its popularity faded in the mid-1970s. Kasparov's successes with the defence restored the King's Indian to prominence in the 1980s.

### 2...c5

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#### Benoni Defence

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Benoni Defence

The Benoni Defence is a risky attempt by Black to unbalance the position and gain active piece play at the cost of allowing White a pawn wedge at d5 and a central majority. The most common Benoni line is the Modern Benoni (3.d5 e6 4.Nc3). Tal popularised the defence in the 1960s by winning several brilliant games with it, and Bobby Fischer occasionally adopted it, with good results, including a win in his 1972 World Championship match against Boris Spassky. Often Black adopts a slightly different move order, playing 2...e6 before 3...c5 in order to avoid the sharpest lines for White.

#### Benko Gambit (or Volga Gambit): 3.d5 b5

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Benko Gambit

The Benko Gambit (known as the Volga Gambit in Russia and Eastern Europe) is one of Black's most popular ways of meeting 1.d4, though it is less common at elite level. Black plays to open lines on the queenside where White will be subject to considerable pressure. If White accepts the gambit, Black's compensation is positional rather than tactical, and their initiative can last even after many piece exchanges and well into the endgame. White often chooses instead either to decline the gambit pawn or return it.

### Old Indian Defence: 2...d6 3.Nc3 e5

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The Old Indian Defence was introduced by Tarrasch in 1902, but it is more commonly associated with Chigorin who adopted it five years later. It is similar to the King's Indian in that both feature a ...d6 and ...e5 pawn centre, but in the Old Indian Black's king bishop is developed to e7 rather than being fianchettoed on g7. The Old Indian is solid, but Black's position is usually cramped and it lacks the dynamic possibilities found in the King's Indian.

### Budapest Gambit: 2...e5

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The Budapest Gambit is rarely played in grandmaster games, but more often adopted by amateurs. Although it is a gambit, White cannot hold on to their extra pawn without making compromises in the deployment of their pieces, so they often choose to return the pawn and retain the initiative.

### Others

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Accelerated Queen's Indian Defence

* 2...b6 Accelerated Queen's Indian Defence

The Accelerated Queen's Indian Defence is playable; however, it is considered less accurate than the standard Queen's Indian move order (2...e6 3 Nf3 b6) due to the possibility of 3.Nc3 Bb7 4.Qc2 d5 (otherwise e4 will follow) 5.cxd5 Nxd5 6.Nf3! and White was better in Alekhine–König, Vienna 1922.[10] James Plaskett and Raymond Keene analyse this line in their 1987 book on the English Defence.

* 2...c6

This normally transposes into the Slav Defence if Black subsequently plays ...d5, however it may also transpose into the Old Indian or even the King's Indian if Black instead follows up with ...d6. One of the few independent lines is the offbeat 2...c6 3.Nf3 b5!?, sometimes called the Kudischewitsch gambit after the Israeli IM David Kudischewitsch.

* 2...Nc6 Black Knights' Tango

The Black Knights' Tango or Mexican Defence introduced by Carlos Torre in 1925 in Baden-Baden shares similarities with Alekhine's Defence as Black attempts to induce a premature advance of the white pawns. It may transpose into many other defences.

* 2...d6 3.Nc3 Bf5 Janowski Indian Defence
* 2...d5?! Marshall Defence

The Marshall Defence (normally reached via the Queen's Gambit after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 Nf6?!) is better for White.

## Main lines beginning 2.Nf3

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Note that lines directly or generally transposing to lines with 2.c4 or 1...d5 are not included in this list. For example, while 2. Nf3 e6 is common, it usually ends up transposing to other openings, particularly as it is often optimal for White to play c4 at some point. There are some independent lines, but they are relatively non-notable.

### 2...c5

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#### Spielmann-Indian Variation

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Spielmann-Indian Main Line

The Spielmann-Indian is the equivalent of the Benoni Defense when White plays 2.Nf3 instead of 2.c4. 3.d5 is White's usual reply. It has many similar patterns to the Benoni and transposes outright if White later plays c4. Aside from 3...b5 lines, the variation is typically defined by White playing Nc3 without having played c4. Black plans e6 to target the weak d pawn, or d6, g6, and Bg7, while White plans e4 and to press with a space advantage. White can also play various sidelines instead of 3.d5, such as 3.e6 or 3.c6, which often end up transposing into other variations. The opening can also be reached from the Old Benoni if White plays 3.Nf3 after 2.d5 instead of 3.Nc3.

#### Pseudo-Benko Variation: 2...c5 3.d5 b5

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White usually either transposes to the Benko Gambit Declined with 4.c4 (if Black replies with e6, to the Blumenfeld Countergambit) or plays 4.Bg5, with lines quickly branching from there. 4...Qb6 is common to defend the knight. Black usually attempts a queenside attack.

### 2...g6

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#### East Indian Defence

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The East Indian Defence is similar to the King's Indian Defence, but with White avoiding c4. If White does play c4, the opening transposes. Commonly, White copies Black's kingside fianchetto plan with g3 and Bg2, or plays Bg5 (the Torre Attack), Bf4 (the London System), or Nbd2, intending to play e4.

#### Barry Attack: 2...g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Bf4

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Barry Attack Main Line

The Barry Attack is an aggressive try popular with club players. The line usually continues with 4...Bg7 5.e3 0-0 6.Be2 c5 7.Ne5. White intends to follow up with a kingside attack, often playing h4 and h5. The Barry Attack has also been tried out at grandmaster level by Mark Hebden and Julian Hodgson.

### Others

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* 2...b6 Accelerated Queen's Indian Defence

Because of the committal of Nf3, the line beginning with c4 and Nc3 explained in the previous section is not available. This makes the Accelerated Queen's Indian somewhat more commonly played against 2.Nf3 than 2.c4. White often plays 3.c4, inviting transposition to the mainline Queen's Indian Defence via 3...e6, the most common response. Otherwise, the line is considered a transposition to the English Opening, with Black usually continuing with 3...g6 or 3...d5. White also often replies with 3.g3, 3.Bf4, 3.Bg5, or 3.e3, with frequent transpositions.
* 2...d6 Tartakower Defence

The Tartakower Defence plays d6 with the intention of later playing Nbd7 and e5. With the knight on the d file preventing White from trading queens and forcing Black to retake with the king, White rarely plays dxe5. Black can transpose to the King's Indian or East Indian by later playing g6 and Bg7. White typically responds by transposing to the Old Indian Defence by playing c4 (either on the third move or a later time), fianchettoing with g3 and Bg2, or playing Nc3, which transposes to the Philidor Defence if White later plays e4. White can also play Bg5, or Bf4 (intending the London System), which does temporarily prevent Black from playing e5, but which Black can respond to with Nh5 and potentially h6 and g5, trading off the bishop or chasing it away.
* 2...h6 3.c4 g5 Nadanian Attack

The Nadanian Attack is an aggressive attempt by Black to unbalance the position. The early 2...h6 and 3...g5 are designed to deal with drawish variations such as Colle System, London System and Torre Attack. The line was introduced in 2005 by Ashot Nadanian, but has never enjoyed widespread popularity among top-flight players.
* 2...Ne4 Döry Defence

The Döry Defence (2.Nf3 Ne4 or 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Ne4) is uncommon, but was the subject of a theme tournament (won by Paul Keres) in Vienna in 1937. It will sometimes transpose into a variation of the Queen's Indian Defence but there are also independent lines.

## Other lines

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London System against 1...Nf6

Each of these lines are commonly played on either the second or third move, with the second move otherwise usually being 2.Nf3.

* 2.Bf4 or 3.Bf4 London System

The London System is more common against 1...d5, but still common against 1...Nf6. White plans to follow up with e3 and Nf3. The line often transposes to 1...d5 Londons once Black plays d5, but Black often plays c5 before playing d5, intending Qb6, threatening White's b pawn, which has been left unguarded after Bf4. Alternatively, Black can play g6, intending Bg7. White often plays Nc3 in response, entering the Rapport–Jobava System, which threatens a double attack of White's bishop and knight on c7 if the knight moves to b5. If Black later plays d5, this allows White to play the Barry Attack mentioned in the previous section.
* 2.Bg5 or 3.Bg5
* 2.Bg5 Trompowsky Attack
* 2.Nf3 e6 3.Bg5 Torre Attack
* 2.Nf3 g6 3.Bg5 Torre Attack, Fianchetto Defense
* 2.c4 e6 3.Bg5 Neo-Indian Attack

The Trompowsky Attack, Torre Attack, and Neo-Indian Attack are anti-Indian variations that aim to disrupt Black's typical development after 1...Nf6 with an early Bg5, and avoid much of the detailed theory of mainstream lines. For example, in the Trompowsky, an early trade with Bxf6 exf6 or Bxf6 gxf6 that results in doubled pawns for Black can occur, a development rarely seen in other openings. The Richter–Veresov Attack is a similar opening which can be played against 1...d5, or arrived at via transposition against 1...Nf6, such as with 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.Bg5.
* 2.Nc3 or 3.Nc3

This move usually ends up transposing either to the Rapport–Jobava System after White plays Bf4, or the Richter-Veresov Attack after White plays Bg5.
* 2.e3 or 3.e3 Yusupov-Rubinstein System

The Yusupov-Rubinstein System is the equivalent of the Colle System against 1...Nf6. White typically develops the queen's bishop to b2 or leaves it on c1 during the opening phase of the game.

## See also

[edit]

* List of chess openings
* List of chess openings named after places

## References

[edit]

1. ^ ECO A45: Queen's Pawn, Indian
2. ^ "Indian Defence", Chess Player's Chronicle: 172, 22 October 1884, retrieved 2008-07-22 In this case the opening moves were 1.e4 d6 2.d4 g6.
3. ^ Philip W. Sergeant, A Century of British Chess, David McKay, 1934, p. 68.
4. ^ Sergeant, pp. 68–69.
5. ^ Edward Winter, Kings, Commoners and Knaves: Further Chess Explorations, Russell Enterprises, Inc., 1999, p. 141. ISBN 1-888690-04-6.
6. ^ Cochrane–Moheschunder
7. ^ Tim Harding, A History of The City of London Chess Magazine (Part 1). Retrieved on 2009-03-18.
8. ^ Savielly Tartakower, Die hypermoderne Schachpartie, Verlag der Wiener Schachzeitung, Vienna, 1924, pp411-425.
9. ^ Richard Reti, Die Meister des Schachbretts (Masters of the Chessboard), p121, p160 (1930)
10. ^ "Alekhine vs. König, Vienna 1922". Chessgames.com.

Bibliography

* De Firmian, Nick (1999), Modern Chess Openings: MCO-14, Random House Puzzles & Games, ISBN 978-0-8129-3084-9
* Hooper, David; Whyld, Kenneth (1996), The Oxford Companion to Chess, Oxford University, ISBN 978-0-19-280049-7
* Kasparov, Garry; Keene, Raymond (1994) [1989], Batsford Chess Openings 2, Henry Holt, ISBN 978-0-8050-3409-7
* Nunn, John (1999), Nunn's Chess Openings, Everyman Chess, ISBN 978-1-85744-221-2
* Bosch, Jeroen (2006), "8", Secrets of Opening Surprises, vol. 5, New in Chess, p. 144, ISBN 978-90-5691-170-6

## Further reading

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The Wikibook Chess Opening Theory has a page on the topic of: Indian Defence

* Palliser, Richard (2008), Starting out: d-pawn attacks. The Colle–Zukertort, Barry and 150 Attacks, Everyman Chess, ISBN 978-1-85744-578-7

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* Maróczy Bind
* Minority attack
* Piece values
* Prophylaxis
* School of chess

Openings|

| Flank opening|

* Benko Opening
* Bird's Opening
* Dunst Opening
* English Opening
* Grob's Attack
* Larsen's Opening
* Zukertort Opening
* King's Indian Attack
* Réti Opening

|

King's Pawn Game|

* Alekhine's Defence
* Caro–Kann Defence
* French Defence
* Modern Defence
* Nimzowitsch Defence
* Open Game
* Four Knights Game
* Giuoco Piano
* Italian Game
* King's Gambit
* Petrov's Defence
* Philidor Defence
* Ponziani Opening
* Ruy Lopez
* Semi-Italian Opening
* Scotch Game
* Two Knights Defense
* Vienna Game
* Owen's Defence
* Pirc Defence
* Austrian Attack
* Scandinavian Defense
* Sicilian Defence
* Alapin
* Dragon/Accelerated Dragon
* Najdorf
* Scheveningen

Queen's Pawn Game|

* Budapest Gambit
* Colle System
* Dutch Defence
* English Defence
* Indian Defence
* Benoni Defence
* Modern Benoni
* Bogo-Indian Defence
* Catalan Opening
* Grünfeld Defence
* King's Indian Defence
* Nimzo-Indian Defence
* Old Indian Defense
* Queen's Indian Defence
* London System
* Richter–Veresov Attack
* Queen's Gambit
* Accepted
* Declined
* Slav Defence
* Semi-Slav Defence
* Chigorin Defense
* Torre Attack
* Trompowsky Attack

Other|

* List of openings
* theory table
* List of chess gambits
* Irregular
* Bongcloud Attack
* Fool's mate
* Scholar's mate

Endgames|

* Bishop and knight checkmate
* King and pawn vs. king
* Opposite-coloured bishops
* Pawnless endgame
* Queen and pawn vs. queen
* Queen vs. pawn
* Queen vs. rook
* Rook and bishop vs. rook
* Rook and pawn vs. rook
* Lucena position
* Philidor position
* Strategy
* fortress
* opposition
* Tarrasch rule
* triangulation
* Zugzwang
* Study
* Tablebase
* Two knights endgame
* Wrong bishop
* Wrong rook pawn

Tournaments|

* List of strong chess tournaments
* Chess Olympiad
* Women
* World Chess Championship
* List
* Candidates Tournament
* Chess World Cup
* FIDE Grand Prix
* Other world championships
* Women
* Team
* Rapid
* Blitz
* Junior
* Youth
* Senior
* Amateur
* Chess composition
* Solving
* Computer chess championships
* CCC
* CSVN
* North American
* TCEC
* WCCC
* WCSCC

Art and media|

* Caïssa
* Chess aesthetics
* Chess in the arts
* early literature
* film
* novels
* paintings
* poetry
* short stories
* Chess books
* opening books
* endgame literature
* Oxford Companion
* Chess libraries
* Chess newspaper columns
* Chess periodicals

Related|

* Arbiter
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* Chess club
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* Chess engine
* AlphaZero
* Deep Blue
* Leela Chess Zero
* Mittens
* Stockfish
* Chess problem
* glossary
* joke chess
* Chess prodigy
* Elo rating system
* Mechanical Turk
* Simultaneous exhibition
* Tie-breaking in Swiss-system tournaments
* Solving chess

* Chess portal
* Category

Authority control databases: National |

* Germany

|

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