Old Indian protection in chess: the main variants of the drawing

In chess there is a very interesting debut - Old Indian defense. Such a beginning is semi-closed. It provides an opportunity for whites to form a strong center in order to actively engage flanks. When exchanging pawns in the middle of the board, there are good perspectives for a figured game. As for the black, they are able to successfully pressure directly on the half-open verticals.

Many chess players have tested various variations of the debut for a long time. A certain contribution to the development of the system was made by domestic players, among which are especially distinguished: Anatoly Karpov, Alexander Alekhin and Lev Polugaevsky. In practice, only a few options have been actively used.

Familiar classic

In this case, white people start the game according to all the canons of the genre. They form an extended center of pawns, while developing actively the figures located on the royal flank. This is done for a short castling. The tension in the middle of the board makes it difficult for the opponent to develop the flank with the queen and protects against possible counterplay.

Ideally, the Old Indian protection for white implies the complete completion of the development of the king. Attacks are built from the flank where the queen is. Black pieces still have several possibilities for using counterplay. If necessary, the former can resort to all sorts of deviations, but they do not put before the opponent such complexities as the classical system.

When using modern constructions, they usually prepare for a very complicated batch. From each side requires the manifestation of activity and the commission of the most accurate moves. As a rule, the one who finds weaknesses of the opponent on one flank achieves victory, while neutralizing the threats on the other.

The Zemisz system

One of the most dangerous is the Old Indian defense for Blacks, when the game is based on the attack of whites on the center with the use of counterblows, usually conducted after castling. This is primarily due to the fact that it was possible to save the pace for creating a rapid offensive. As one of the most flexible is the way of defense, which allows to develop a horse on a c6 cage. Black pieces in this case can counterattack with pawns under certain circumstances. White has to limit himself to a quiet game with a short castling or to conduct an offensive with pawns. Black has good chances for counterplay in both cases.

Averbakh system

There is an Old Indian defense aimed at suppressing the Black's counter-offensive. The progress is carried out on the cells f7 - f5 and e7 - e5. It should be noted that the strategy for the development of white is mainly designed for the exchange of heavy figures. The emerging structure of pawns and freedom in the central part promise white in the final stage of the best chances.

The best version of the game for Black can be a quick blasting of the whites directly in the middle of the field. Only high activity of the figures in combination with tactical methods makes it possible for them to maintain some balance within the framework of such a batch.

Old Indian Protection with four pawns

This option can bring a significant advantage to white figures on the chessboard. However, such a strategy has its drawbacks. The rank of pawns restricts the movement of elephants. In addition, it takes time to build a central barrier. Black at this time can quickly develop their own strength. The old Indian protection used in such execution forces white to reinforce the center with other figures. Black is trying to provoke a clash in the near future, since they have a preponderance in development. In practice, it becomes apparent that blows over white in the middle are quite effective.

Option with the development of an elephant on g2

This system is quite dangerous and difficult to master, as well as the old Indian defense in the chess of Zemisz. However, it is multifaceted. With the help of the flank forces of the elephant, there is pressure on the central part of the playing field. At the sight is taken on the queenside. The position of the king is strengthened after a short castling.

As a contrast, Black can use the Yugoslav variant, implying an active game on the flanks with a sufficiently fortified center. The final result will largely depend on whether the White will correctly use the relatively passive position of the black horse on the part of the queen.

Final part

Above, we considered what methods can be used to build the Old Indian defense. The options, in fact, are not all listed, but only the most promising ones. Also worth noting is the Makogonov system, in which White tries to limit the potentialities of Blacks on the kingside, while preserving interesting perspectives on the opposite side of the chessboard.