Main line: 4.Nf3 Nbd7 5.e4 Be7 is variation 1 of 6 in the Old Indian Defence course, a intermediate opening course for Black (ECO A55). It runs 24 moves and begins 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nc3 e5 4. Nf3 Nbd7 …. The main line. Black keeps the e5 pawn with ...Nbd7 and ...c6, puts the bishop on e7 and castles. Then Black gains queenside space with ...a6 and ...b5, and keeps a solid, flexible position. 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 with the queen's pawn.
1... Nf6 – Black develops and stops White from playing e4 at once.
2. c4 – White gains space on the queenside and supports d5.
2... d6 – The Old Indian Defence. Black prepares the push to e5.
3. Nc3 – White develops and controls e4.
3... e5 – Black claims the centre with a pawn. Now the d4 pawn is attacked.
4. Nf3 – White develops and adds a guard to d4.
4... Nbd7 – The knight guards e5. Now a trade on e5 does not win a pawn.
5. e4 – White builds a big centre with pawns on c4, d4 and e4.
5... Be7 – The bishop develops modestly. Black is ready to castle.
6. Be2 – White develops and gets ready to castle.
6... O-O – Black castles. The king is safe behind the kingside pawns.
7. O-O – White castles too.
7... c6 – Black supports a later push to d5 and makes room for the queen on c7.
8. Re1 – The rook supports e4 and gets ready for a fight in the centre.
8... a6 – Black prepares to push the b-pawn and gain queenside space.
The lesson goes on for 8 more moves, each with its explanation.
chessGM