4.d5: the closed centre is variation 3 of 6 in the Old Indian Defence course, a intermediate opening course for Black (ECO A53). It runs 24 moves and begins 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nc3 e5 4. d5 Be7 …. White closes the centre with 4.d5. Black develops, castles and plays ...a5 to give the knight a safe home on c5. Then Black trades the dark-squared bishops with ...Bg5 and breaks with ...f5. In the lesson every move is explained on a board and then drilled; it is free.
Move by move
1. d4 – White takes the centre.
1... Nf6 – Black develops and watches e4.
2. c4 – White gains space.
2... d6 – The Old Indian. Black prepares e5.
3. Nc3 – White develops.
3... e5 – Black claims the centre.
4. d5 – White pushes past e5 and closes the centre. White gains space.
4... Be7 – Black develops quietly and gets ready to castle.
5. e4 – White builds a big pawn chain on c4, d5 and e4.
5... O-O – Black castles.
6. Bd3 – The most common move. The bishop guards e4.
6... a5 – The key idea. The pawn stops White from pushing b4, so a knight can settle on c5.
7. Nge2 – White develops the knight to e2 and keeps the f-pawn free.
7... Na6 – The knight heads for c5 by way of a6.
8. O-O – White castles.
8... Nc5 – The knight reaches c5. It hits the d3 bishop and the e4 pawn.
The lesson goes on for 8 more moves, each with its explanation.
chessGM