FENrnbqkb1r/pppppp1p/5np1/8/2PP1B2/8/PP2PPPP/RN1QKBNR b KQkq -
Indian Defense: West Indian Defense: what should Black play?
Best move
Bg7+0.08
By playing Bg7, you complete the "fianchetto" of your g7. This places your Bishop on the long diagonal, exerting powerful pressure on the center and preparing for a safe O-O.
- Games played
- 494K
- To move
- Black
- Evaluation
- +0.08
- Depth
- 25
Game counts: Lichess opening book. Move ranking and evaluation: Stockfish. How this page is built
Why Bg7 is the best move
Bg7! — Excellent Choice!
✅ One of 5 top moves — you found a winning strategy!
Why this move is excellent:
By playing Bg7, you complete the "fianchetto" of your g7. This places your Bishop on the long diagonal, exerting powerful pressure on the center and preparing for a safe O-O.
Multiple Valid Strategies
This position is incredibly flexible. You had five paths that all maintain an equal game:
| Move | Eval | Style / Strategic Idea |
|---|---|---|
| Bg7 | +0.08 | The King's Indian Style: Focuses on development and king safety. |
| c5 | +0.07 | The Benoni/Grunfeld Style: Challenges the white center immediately. |
| d6 | +0.07 | The Solid Approach: Controls e5 and prepares a flexible setup. |
| d5 | +0.09 | The Classical Approach: Directly fights for central space. |
| Nh5 | +0.21 | The Aggressive Hunt: Immediately targets the f4 to win the pair. |
Different paths, same destination: Whether you prefer the hypermodern pressure of Bg7 or the direct central challenge of d5, the engine confirms your intuition is spot on. You chose the most popular human move (66%), showing great alignment with master-level opening principles.
Your Continuation
After Bg7:
Nc3 O-O Nf3 d5
What Made This Move Good
You correctly saw: That the f8 needed a home before White could clamp down on the center. By prioritizing development, you ensure that even if White expands with c4 and d4, your pieces are ready to strike back from the flanks.
📚 Takeaway: When five different moves are all "best," it’s a sign of a rich, healthy position. Trust your stylistic preference!
What else gets played here
Move choices from 494K games in the opening book, with the engine's evaluation of each.
| Move | Evaluation | Played | Games | White score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bg7Engine pick | +0.08 | 402K | 47% | |
| d6 | +0.07 | 47K | 48% | |
| d5 | +0.09 | 37K | 49% | |
| c5 | +0.07 | 6.7K | 44% | |
| Nh5 | +0.21 | 1.1K | 47% |
More positions in the Indian Defense
- Best movee6Pawn e7 → e6Indian Defense: Normal Variation107M games
- Best moveh4Pawn h2 → h4Indian Defense: West Indian Defense40M games
- Best moved5Pawn d7 → d5Indian Defense: Accelerated London System33M games
- Best moved5Pawn d7 → d5Indian Defense24M games
- Best moveNc3Knight b1 → c3Indian Defense: Anti-Nimzo-Indian21M games
- Best movee6Pawn e7 → e6Indian Defense21M games
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move for Black in the Indian Defense: West Indian Defense?
Bg7 (+0.08). By playing Bg7, you complete the "fianchetto" of your g7. This places your Bishop on the long diagonal, exerting powerful pressure on the center and preparing for a safe O-O.
Why is Bg7 the best move here?
By playing Bg7, you complete the "fianchetto" of your g7. This places your Bishop on the long diagonal, exerting powerful pressure on the center and preparing for a safe O-O.
How often does this position occur?
This position has been reached 494K times in the opening book.