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Old Indian Defense

Janowski Variation, Fianchetto Variation

A53positionaloffbeat

  1. 1.d4Nf6
  2. 2.c4d6
  3. 3.Nc3Bf5
  4. 4.g3
131 games50%50%

A rare Old Indian sideline in which White meets the Janowski's 3...Bf5 with 4. g3, fianchettoing the bishop toward the long diagonal and b7.

Train it in Theoria

About the Fianchetto Variation

The Fianchetto Variation of the Janowski Variation answers 3...Bf5 with 4. g3. This prepares Bg2, aiming White's light-squared bishop down the long diagonal toward b7, a pawn the departed c8-bishop no longer guards. Black most often replies 4...Nbd7 or 4...c6, the latter reinforcing the queenside, while 4...e6 and 4...e5 are among the engine's preferred moves. Engines give White a slight edge. The line is rarely played, and Lichess results are even.

Popular continuations