Indian Defense: Anti-Nimzo-Indian: what should White play?

In the Indian Defense: Anti-Nimzo-Indian, White's top engine-recommended continuation is g3, aiming to fianchetto the light-squared bishop and steer the game toward Catalan structures. Holding an evaluation of +0.32, this approach avoids early pins against White's queenside pieces while contesting the long diagonal. With 650,211 games recorded at this exact position, it represents a foundational crossroads in modern closed openings.

The strategic role of g3

By selecting g3, White prepares to place the bishop on the optimal g2 square, placing indirect pressure along the a8-h1 diagonal. This maneuver sidesteps the immediate pin on the c-file often seen when a knight enters early, directing the struggle into strategic waters. An illustrative engine continuation demonstrates this setup via g3 d5 Bg2 O-O O-O dxc4, where White secures king safety before addressing Black's pawn capture.

Developing the queenside with Nc3 and Bf4

White can also opt for immediate central piece play with Nc3 (evaluated at +0.25). Rather than committing the kingside pawns, this move supports spatial control in the center and can transition into positions illustrated by Nc3 d5 Bf4 O-O e3 b6. Similarly, developing the dark-squared bishop directly via Bf4 provides an engine evaluation of +0.24, leading through Bf4 O-O Nc3 d5 e3 b6, which actively develops minor pieces outside the pawn chain before committing the e-pawn.

Other central approaches

Less common tries include Qc2 (+0.08) and the prophylactic a3 (+0.04). The queen move protects the c4 pawn and prepares to meet central tension as shown in Qc2 d5 cxd5 exd5 Nc3 c6. Meanwhile, a3 prepares queenside control through a3 d5 Nc3 O-O Bf4 b6, though these variations yield a slightly narrower engine evaluation compared to the main lines.