Chess Openings Lab
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Zukertort Opening: Old Indian Attack

The Old Indian Attack is 1...d5 2.d3, where White keeps the d-pawn back to prepare e4. White aims for a reversed King's Indian or a quick c4, while Black grabs the center with ...Nf6, ...c5 or ...e6.

Moves
1.Nf3 d5 2.d3
ECO
A06
Engine
−0.15 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
2,913 games in our lichess sample
White scores
50.1%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Play g3 and c4 as in the top engine line, then Qa4+ to win back the c4 pawn.
  • Against 2...e6 push 3.e4 and meet ...c5 with exd5 and d4 for open piece play.
  • Against 2...Nc6, switch with 3.d4 and Bb5+ ideas to pin and pressure the knight.

Black

  • 2...Nf6 with ...c5 builds a broad center and invites White's c4, met by ...dxc4.
  • Play ...e6 and ...c5 to grab space; after e4, ...d4 or a trade on d5 is possible.
  • After 2...Nc6 3.d4, use ...Bf5 and ...Nb4 to target c2, as in the second engine line.

Plans and pawn structure

White keeps all options. With g3 and c4 the game turns into reversed openings where White hits Black's broad center with the c-pawn and the queen on a4. With e4 instead, White aims at a King's Indian setup a tempo up. Black should take central space with ...d5, ...c5 and ...Nf6 and develop quickly. Black's plan is to keep the center and meet c4 with ...dxc4 or ...d4.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position −0.15: level. Its three top choices for Black:

  1. −0.15 2...Nf6 3.g3 c5 4.c4 dxc4 5.Qa4+
  2. −0.03 2...Nc6 3.d4 Bf5 4.e3 Nb4 5.Bb5+
  3. 0.00 2...e6 3.e4 c5 4.exd5 exd5 5.d4

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

2,913 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 50.1%.

under 120050.3%
1200–159951.1%
1600–199949.5%
2000 and up49.3%

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

How to play against it

As Black, build a center with ...Nf6 and ...c5, or ...e6 and ...c5. Do not overextend with ...e5 before developing. After c4, take with ...dxc4 and block a queen check on a4 with ...Bd7. White's slow d3 gives you free time, so spend it on development rather than early pawn grabs.

Questions

What are the moves of the Zukertort Opening: Old Indian Attack?

The Zukertort Opening: Old Indian Attack starts 1.Nf3 d5 2.d3. Its ECO code is A06.

Is the Zukertort Opening: Old Indian Attack good for White?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position −0.15 at depth 20, which is level. In 2,913 lichess games from our sample, White scored 50.1%. A low-risk choice for White players who enjoy slow maneuvering; Black gets easy, equal positions with sound development.

What is the main idea of the Zukertort Opening: Old Indian Attack?

White prepares e4 with d3 and keeps every option open. Black uses the free time to build a center with ...Nf6, ...c5 and ...e6.

What should Black play next?

The engine's first choice is Nf6, with Nc6 and e6 close behind. 2...Nf6 develops and supports d5, so after g3 and c4 Black can take with ...dxc4.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.