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Indian Defense: Anti-Nimzo-Indian: what should White play?
Best move
g3+0.51
By playing g3, you are preparing to fianchetto your f1 to the long diagonal. This exerts powerful pressure on the center and the queenside, specifically targeting the d5 and e4…
- Games played
- 425K
- To move
- White
- Evaluation
- +0.51
- Depth
- 25
Game counts: Lichess opening book. Move ranking and evaluation: Stockfish. How this page is built
Why g3 is the best move
g3! — Excellent Choice!
✅ One of 4 top moves — you found a winning strategy!
Why this move is excellent:
By playing g3, you are preparing to fianchetto your f1 to the long diagonal. This exerts powerful pressure on the center and the queenside, specifically targeting the d5 and e4 squares while keeping your king exceptionally safe.
Multiple Valid Strategies
| Move | Eval | Style / Strategic Idea |
|---|---|---|
| g3 | +0.51 | Hypermodern: Controlling the center with the g2 from a distance. |
| Nc3 | +0.47 | Classical: Developing a piece to its most natural square to control d5. |
| a3 | +0.40 | Prophylactic: Preventing Bb4+ and preparing queenside expansion. |
| e3 | +0.39 | Solid: Strengthening the d4 chain and opening the path for the f1. |
Different paths, same destination: While most players (53%) instinctively choose the classical development of Nc3, your choice of g3 is actually the engine's favorite! You opted for a more sophisticated, positional approach rather than the standard development. All four moves maintain White's opening advantage, but they lead to very different pawn structures.
Your Continuation
After g3:
Be7 Bg2 O-O O-O d5
What Made This Move Good
You correctly saw: That the f1 is most effective on the long diagonal in this setup. While humans often prefer the immediate Nc3, your move is more flexible, delaying the knight's commitment and preparing a rock-solid kingside fortress.
📚 Takeaway: In positions with multiple good moves, trust your style! Whether you prefer the direct control of Nc3 or the long-term pressure of g3, both are objectively excellent.
What else gets played here
Move choices from 425K games in the opening book, with the engine's evaluation of each.
| Move | Evaluation | Played | Games | White score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nc3 | +0.47 | 311K | 56% | |
| g3Engine pick | +0.51 | 64K | 58% | |
| e3 | +0.39 | 47K | 54% | |
| a3 | +0.40 | 2.2K | 54% | |
| Qc2 | +0.31 | 817 | 54% |
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 White in the Indian Defense: Anti-Nimzo-Indian?
g3 (+0.51). By playing g3, you are preparing to fianchetto your f1 to the long diagonal. This exerts powerful pressure on the center and the queenside, specifically targeting the d5 and e4…
Why is g3 the best move here?
By playing g3, you are preparing to fianchetto your f1 to the long diagonal. This exerts powerful pressure on the center and the queenside, specifically targeting the d5 and e4 squares while keeping your king exceptionally safe.
How often does this position occur?
This position has been reached 425K times in the opening book.