Chess Openings Lab
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1

Indian Defense: Przepiorka Variation

The Przepiorka Variation is 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.g3, where White answers Black's fianchetto with one of its own. Black usually plays ...Bg7 and ...d5 for a Neo-Grünfeld, while White adds Bg2, c4 and O-O and later a4 for queenside space.

Moves
1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.g3
ECO
A49
Engine
+0.16 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
1,111 games in our lichess sample
White scores
54.9%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Complete Bg2, c4 and O-O; the bishop on g2 then presses on d5 and the b7 pawn.
  • Against ...c6 and ...d5, the a4 push, seen in all three engine lines, stops ...b5 and gains room on the queenside.
  • If Black grabs a pawn with ...dxc4, a4 makes it hard to keep, and the g2 bishop gains scope.

Black

  • 3...Bg7 and ...d5 lead to a Neo-Grünfeld, a solid and well-tested choice.
  • Play ...c6 to support d5 so the g2 bishop hits a wall, then castle and look for ...Bf5 or ...Bg4.
  • Taking on c4 is possible once White castles, but expect a4 and pressure to win the pawn back.

Plans and pawn structure

Both sides fianchetto and castle, so the game turns on the center pawns. With c4 and ...d5, White aims the g2 bishop at d5 and adds Nc3 or Qb3, while a4 stops ...b5. Black's chain on c6 and d5 holds firm, and the light bishop comes to f5 or g4 before a ...c5 or ...e5 break. If Black takes on c4, White uses the time spent regaining the pawn to grab central space.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.16: level. Its three top choices for Black:

  1. +0.16 3...Bg7 4.Bg2 d5 5.c4 c6 6.O-O
  2. +0.17 3...d5 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.c4 c6 6.O-O
  3. +0.21 3...c6 4.Bg2 d5 5.c4 Bg7 6.O-O

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

1,111 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 54.9%.

under 120032.8%
1200–159957.7%
1600–199954.9%
2000 and up55.5%

Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.

Where it goes next

  • Classical Variation3...Bg7 · 1,064 games
  • Classical Variation, Polgar Variation3...Bg7 · rare

How to play against it

As Black, 3...Bg7 is the most natural reply, followed by ...d5, ...c6 and ...O-O. Don't hurry to take on c4 before your king is safe. If White plays a4, answer by developing rather than pushing ...a5 at once, so the b5 square stays useful later.

Questions

What are the moves of the Indian Defense: Przepiorka Variation?

The Indian Defense: Przepiorka Variation starts 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.g3. Its ECO code is A49.

Is the Indian Defense: Przepiorka Variation good for White?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.16 at depth 20, which is level. In 1,111 lichess games from our sample, White scored 54.9%. A calm, positional line for players on both sides who like fianchetto structures and long maneuvering games.

What is the main idea of the Indian Defense: Przepiorka Variation?

Both sides fianchetto and fight over d5 and the long diagonal. Black supports d5 with ...c6, and White adds c4, castles and uses a4 to restrain Black's queenside.

What should Black play next?

The engine's first choice is Bg7, with d5 and c6 close behind. 3...Bg7 completes the fianchetto and keeps ...d5 and ...c6 ready, steering toward a Neo-Grünfeld.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.