Fianchetto Defense

The Fianchetto Defense arises when White plays the Torre bishop move, 3. Bg5, against 2...g6. It belongs to the East Indian Defense complex, a transpositional position in which neither side has committed the c- or d-pawns. White develops the bishop outside the pawn chain before playing e3 and keeps the option of the usual Nbd2, c3 and e3 buildup without allowing a Grünfeld or King's Indian proper, since c4 has not been played. Black almost always continues 3...Bg7. White then normally chooses 4. Nbd2 and occasionally 4. c3. After 4. Nbd2, Black can castle with 4...O-O 5. c3, take the center with 4...d5 5. e3 O-O, or challenge d4 at once with 4...c5, the Euwe Variation.

Among the less common third moves, 3...d5 leads to the Grünfeld Variation of the Torre. Black can also question the bishop immediately with 3...Ne4, or play the King's Indian-style 3...d6. The engine rates the position as roughly balanced, and results on Lichess are nearly even. The line is a common club-level choice that requires little memorization.