Janowski Variation

The Janowski Variation, also called the Janowski Indian Defense, is a branch of the Old Indian Defense in which Black places the light-squared bishop on f5 before deciding on ...e5 or ...Nbd7. The bishop leaves the c8 square early, and it stands outside the pawn chain rather than being shut in by ...e6 or ...e5. The cost is that b7 loses a defender and the bishop becomes a target for a later e4. Engines give White a slight edge. The top engine choices include the developing 4. Nf3 and 4. e3, as well as 4. Qb3, which hits the b7 pawn at once.

Among White's fourth moves, 4. Nf3 is the most common, and it leads to ordinary development. The Main Line, 4. f3, prepares e4 so that the pawn advance comes with tempo against the bishop and builds a broad center. 4. Bg5 pins the knight and scores well for White. The Grinberg Gambit, 4. e4, offers the e-pawn for rapid development. The Fianchetto Variation, 4. g3, aims a bishop at the long diagonal. The variation is a rarely seen sideline, and on Lichess White scores modestly better.