Chess Openings Lab
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Indian Defense: Czech-Indian

The Czech-Indian is 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 c6, a quiet ...c6 that keeps Slav ideas open. White decides between c4 and a London-type Bf4, while Black usually follows with ...d5 and ...Bf5 to develop the light bishop before ...e6.

Moves
1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 c6
ECO
A46
Engine
+0.25 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
505 games in our lichess sample
White scores
54.8%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • 3.c4 d5 reaches Slav positions; after ...Bf5 and ...e6, Nh4 hunts the bishop, as both top lines show.
  • 3.e3 keeps c4 for the next move, a calm route to the same Slav structure with fewer early options for Black.
  • 3.Bf4 dares ...Qb6 against b2; Qc1 holds the pawn, then h3 and g4 chase the f5 bishop.

Black

  • Play ...d5 and ...Bf5 before ...e6, so the light-squared bishop sits outside the pawn chain.
  • When Nh4 attacks the f5 bishop, drop it back to g6 and accept the trade; your pawns stay compact.
  • Against Bf4, hit b2 with ...Qb6 at once; White's queen must defend from c1.

Plans and pawn structure

Most lines lead to Black's pawn triangle on c6, d5 and e6 with the bishop already outside on f5 or g6. White's plans are Nh4 to win the bishop pair, Nc3 and Qb3 against b7, and a later e4 push. Black finishes kingside development, castles short, and frees the game with ...c5 or ...e5. Trading the light bishop is fine for Black as long as the pawn triangle stays sound.

Where the engine's main line heads: Black's pawn triangle: c6, d5, e6. Black's triangle of pawns on c6, d5 and e6: very solid, but it can shut in the c8 bishop.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.25: level. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +0.25 3.c4 d5 4.e3 Bf5 5.Nc3 e6
  2. +0.24 3.e3 d5 4.c4 Bf5 5.Nc3 e6
  3. +0.22 3.Bf4 Qb6 4.Qc1 d6 5.h3 Bf5

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

505 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 54.8%.

under 120052.6%
1200–159954.7%
1600–199955.4%
2000 and up54.4%

Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.

How to play against it

As White, 3.c4 is the most direct path to Slav play with Nc3 and e3. If Black develops ...Bf5, Nh4 wins the bishop pair. Against ...Qb6 after Bf4, defend b2 with Qc1 rather than pushing b3, which loosens the c3 square.

Questions

What are the moves of the Indian Defense: Czech-Indian?

The Indian Defense: Czech-Indian starts 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 c6. Its ECO code is A46.

Is the Indian Defense: Czech-Indian good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.25 at depth 20, which is level. In 505 lichess games from our sample, White scored 54.8%. A solid, low-risk system for Black players who like the Slav, though White keeps a small, easy edge with natural moves.

What is the main idea of the Indian Defense: Czech-Indian?

Black plays a Slav setup with ...c6, ...d5 and ...Bf5, getting the light bishop out before ...e6. White chooses c4 for Slav play or Bf4 for a London, and often chases the bishop with Nh4.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is c4, with e3 and Bf4 close behind. 3.c4 makes ...d5 a Slav Defense, and Nh4 against ...Bf5 wins the bishop pair later.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.