1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 b6 opens the Indian Defence: 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3... b6, ECO A47. With 998,498 games on record, the patterns below come from the largest practical sample available.
History and Notable Players
It arises from the Indian Game: 2.Nf3 Systems. On the White side, Carlos Enrique Guimard (21 games), Edgard Colle (16 games), Mark L Hebden (13 games) top the database. Notable Black exponents: Alexander Alekhine (32 games), Harry Golombek (27 games), Colin S Crouch (24 games).
Performance Across Rating Levels
The picture changes a lot as you climb the rating ladder. The 1200 bracket has 41,365 games (0.01% of all games at that level); White wins 50.5%, Black 46.1%, 3.3% are drawn. Move up to 1800 Elo and the share shifts to 0.03%, with White winning 49% versus Black's 45.8%. At 2500, 0.15% of games go into this opening; draws sit at 11% — the line is well-mapped at this level. White's edge erodes by 5.2pp from 1200 to 2500 Elo, suggesting Black's counterplay is easier to find with experience.
Time Control Patterns
The Indian Defence: 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3... b6 skews toward blitz chess. In bullet, it appears in 0.02% of games (443,737); White wins 50.2%. Blitz shows 0.02% adoption across 848,794 games, White scoring 48.8%. In rapid, the share rises to 0.01% — 149,704 games, White 48.2%.
Move Diversity and Theory Depth
Move choice is far from uniform in the Indian Defence: 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3... b6. At 1200 Elo, the top reply is e3, played 22.7% of the time. There are 6 other moves seeing meaningful share, and 62.9% of games stick to established theory. Entropy: 2.88. By 2500, c4 dominates at 28.7% of replies; only 5 viable alternatives remain and 71.1% of moves are theory. Entropy drops to 2.57.
Historical Trends
Year-over-year data tells you whether this opening is a contemporary fixture or a fading one. Adoption peaked in 2018 at 0.03% (47,788 games). By 2025 it sits at 0.02% — a 22% shift overall, leaving the line on the rise.
Common Mistakes
- Neglecting development — Extra pawn moves in the opening are tempting, especially when you "know the moves". Developing a piece each turn is the simple correction.
- Letting White own the centre — Hypermodern openings concede central space on purpose, but only if you strike back in time. Delay the counter-blow and you end up squeezed.
Practice on Chessiverse
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