The Old Indian Defence (Black)
Tay's sturdy answer to 1.d4: meet the centre with ...d6 and ...e5, developing the bishop to e7 rather than g7. Fewer sharp lines than the King's Indian, the same ...f5 and ...exd4 counterplay, and a rock-solid structure.
Step through the main line
The lines
Classical Main Line: 4.Nf3 & e4
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nc3 e5 4. Nf3 Nbd7 5. e4 Be7 6. Be2 O-O 7. O-O c6 8. Qc2 Re8
Fianchetto: 5.g3
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nc3 e5 4. Nf3 Nbd7 5. g3 g6 6. Bg2 Bg7 7. O-O O-O 8. e4 c6
The 5.Bg5 Pin
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nc3 e5 4. Nf3 Nbd7 5. Bg5 Be7 6. e3 O-O 7. Be2 c6 8. O-O Qc7
Queen Trade: 4.dxe5
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nc3 e5 4. dxe5 dxe5 5. Qxd8+ Kxd8 6. Nf3 Nbd7 7. g3 Bd6 8. Bg2 Ke7
Early 4.e4 & ...exd4
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nc3 e5 4. e4 exd4 5. Qxd4 Nc6 6. Qd2 g6 7. b3 Bg7 8. Bb2 O-O
The Solid ...Nbd7 & ...e5
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nc3 Nbd7 4. e4 e5 5. Nf3 Be7 6. Be2 O-O 7. O-O c6
How this guide is made: the lines and explanations come from the authored Strong Squares repertoire curriculum. Automated checks verify legal move sequences and required teaching fields. Independent chess-editor approval remains a private-preview release gate. Read the teaching method.