Chess Openings Lab
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1

Indian Defense: West Indian Defense

The West Indian Defense is 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6, the starting point for both the King's Indian and the Grünfeld. White picks a route with Nc3, Nf3 or e3, while Black decides later between ...d6 with ...e5 and the ...d5 strike against c4.

Moves
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6
ECO
E60
Engine
+0.28 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
1,371 games in our lichess sample
White scores
49.3%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • 3.Nc3 invites both main systems; after ...d5, trade cxd5 and push e4 for a big center.
  • A quiet 3.e3 with Nf3, Be2 and b4 dodges theory and grabs queenside space.
  • 3.Nf3 delays Nc3 and can lead to the Neo-Grünfeld if Black plays ...d5.

Black

  • Fianchetto with ...Bg7 and castle short before choosing between ...d6 and ...d5.
  • Against a slow e3, ...c5 and ...e6 hit White's center while the f1 bishop sits passively on e2.
  • Against Nc3, ...d5 leads to the Grünfeld, where ...Nxc3 and ...c5 pressure d4.

Plans and pawn structure

Black's fianchetto aims at d4, and White's plans depend on how hard White wants to fight for the center. After Nc3 and e4, White gets a big pawn center that Black attacks with ...e5 in King's Indian lines or ...c5 in Grünfeld lines. After e3 and Be2, White plays on the queenside with b4, and Black answers with ...b6 or a ...c5 strike. In all lines the g7 bishop is Black's best piece.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.28: level. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +0.28 3.e3 Bg7 4.Nf3 O-O 5.Be2 e6
  2. +0.26 3.Nf3 Bg7 4.e3 O-O 5.Be2 c5
  3. +0.25 3.Nc3 d5 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.cxd5 Nxd5

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

1,371 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 49.3%.

under 120049.2%
1200–159952.2%
1600–199947.3%
2000 and up49.0%

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

Where it goes next

  • King's Indian Defense3.Nc3 · 29,811 games
  • with Nf33.Nf3 · 203 games
  • Anti-Grünfeld, Adorjan Gambit3.d5 · rare
  • Anti-Grünfeld, Alekhine Variation, Leko Gambit3.f3 · rare
  • Anti-Grünfeld, Basman-Williams Attack3.h4 · rare
  • Fianchetto Variation, Lesser Simagin (Spassky)3.g3 · rare
  • Queen's Pawn, Mengarini Attack3.Qc2 · rare
  • Orthodox Variation, Classical System, Kozul Gambit3.Nc3 · rare

How to play against it

As White, 3.Nc3 is the main test, ready for e4 or a Grünfeld. If you want less theory, e3 and Nf3 with Be2 keep it simple. Avoid letting Black hit d4 with ...c5 while your pieces are still undeveloped and your king is uncastled.

Questions

What are the moves of the Indian Defense: West Indian Defense?

The Indian Defense: West Indian Defense starts 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6. Its ECO code is E60.

Is the Indian Defense: West Indian Defense good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.28 at depth 20, which is level. In 1,371 lichess games from our sample, White scored 49.3%. A rich gateway for players who enjoy dynamic fianchetto defenses; White needs a plan against both ...d6 and ...d5.

What is the main idea of the Indian Defense: West Indian Defense?

Black prepares a kingside fianchetto and waits before choosing between King's Indian and Grünfeld setups. White chooses between a big center with Nc3 and e4 or a quieter e3 setup.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is e3, with Nf3 and Nc3 close behind. 3.e3 is a quiet choice that keeps d4 solid and prepares Nf3, Be2 and queenside play with b4.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.