Chess Openings Lab
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1

Indian Defense: Spielmann-Indian

The Spielmann-Indian is 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 c5, a Benoni-style strike at d4 before White has played c4. White can gain space with d5, open the center with c4, or stay quiet with e3, while Black aims for ...b5 or ...e6 counterplay.

Moves
1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 c5
ECO
A46
Engine
+0.61 · a slight edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
1,785 games in our lichess sample
White scores
47.6%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • 3.d5 is the top engine move; against ...b5 push e4 and answer ...Nxe4 with Bd3, gaining time on the knight.
  • 3.c4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 reaches open positions; watch for ...e5 and ...Bc5 hitting the knight.
  • 3.e3 keeps it quiet: after ...e6, c4 and cxd5 lead to positions where Bb5+ develops with tempo.

Black

  • After 3.d5, ...b5 offers a pawn in Benko style; after e4 Nxe4 Bd3, the check ...Qa5+ gains time.
  • After 3.c4 cxd4 4.Nxd4, play ...e5 and ...d5, using the c5 square for the bishop.
  • Against 3.e3, ...e6 and ...d5 build a Tarrasch-type center with active pieces.

Plans and pawn structure

With 3.d5, White takes space and Black looks for queenside play with ...b5 or a Benoni with ...e6 and ...d6. In the engine's top line Black grabs e4 with the knight, and White uses Bd3 and Nbd2 to gain time and develop. After 3.c4, the game opens: White's knight on d4 is a target for ...e5, and Black aims for ...d5 with active pieces. The quiet e3 route leads to Tarrasch-type positions with an isolated pawn for one side.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.61: a slight edge for White. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +0.61 3.d5 b5 4.e4 Nxe4 5.Bd3 Qa5+
  2. +0.31 3.c4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 e5 5.Nb5 d5
  3. +0.17 3.e3 e6 4.c4 d5 5.cxd5 exd5

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

1,785 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 47.6%.

under 120055.3%
1200–159942.1%
1600–199947.8%
2000 and up48.3%

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

Where it goes next

  • Pseudo-Benko3.d5 · rare

How to play against it

As White, push 3.d5 and claim space. If Black gambits with ...b5, take the center with e4 rather than grabbing on b5. After ...Nxe4, Bd3 and Nbd2 meet ...Qa5+ calmly. Avoid c4 lines unless you know the ...e5 and ...Bc5 tactics against your knight.

Questions

What are the moves of the Indian Defense: Spielmann-Indian?

The Indian Defense: Spielmann-Indian starts 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 c5. Its ECO code is A46.

Is the Indian Defense: Spielmann-Indian good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.61 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for White. In 1,785 lichess games from our sample, White scored 47.6%. An active choice for Black players who like Benoni and Benko ideas; White gets a pleasant space edge with d5 and e4.

What is the main idea of the Indian Defense: Spielmann-Indian?

Black hits d4 with ...c5 before White plays c4. White's best reply is d5 for space, and Black answers with queenside play through ...b5 or a Benoni setup.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is d5, with c4 and e3 close behind. 3.d5 gains space at once, and after ...b5 the e4 push takes the center while Black's queenside pawns advance.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.