Bogo-Indian Defense
You play Black · 8 variations
Mixed practice
The machine picks a different variation every time.
Take a quiz
10 positions: find the next theory move in each. No take-backs, no hints.
Main variations · 4
- Retreat VariationE111. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Bb4+ 5. Bd2 Be7 6. Bg2 O-O 7. O-O c6 8. Qc2 Nbd7 9. Bf4 b6 10. Nbd2 Ba610 moves
- Retreat VariationE111. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 Bb4+ 4. Bd2 Be7 5. Bg2 d5 6. Nf3 Nbd7 7. O-O O-O 8. Qc2 c6 9. Rd1 h69 moves
- Retreat VariationE111. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 Bb4+ 4. Bd2 Be7 5. Bg2 d5 6. Nf3 Nbd7 7. O-O O-O 8. Qc2 c6 9. b39 moves
- Retreat VariationE111. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 Bb4+ 4. Bd2 Be7 5. Bg2 d5 6. Nf3 Nbd7 7. O-O O-O 8. Qc2 c6 9. Rc19 moves
Other variations · 4
- Haiti VariationE111. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Bb4+ 4. Bd2 Nc64 moves
- New England VariationE111. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Bb4+ 4. Nfd24 moves
- Wade-Smyslov VariationE111. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Bb4+ 4. Bd2 a54 moves
- Monticelli TrapE111. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Bb7 5. Bg2 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Bxd2+ 7. Qxd2 O-O 8. Nc3 Ne4 9. Qc2 Nxc3 10. Ng510 moves
What is the Bogo-Indian Defense?
The Bogo-Indian Defense starts 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Bb4+. When White avoids the Nimzo-Indian by developing the knight to f3 rather than c3, you still give the check on b4 and make White decide how to block it. The opening is solid and positional rather than sharp: you develop quickly, castle early and often trade your dark-squared bishop, aiming for a sound position without long forcing lines. It is a respected mainstream defence that fits naturally beside the Nimzo-Indian and the Queen's Indian.
Main ideas and plans
White's main reply is to block with the bishop. The Nimzowitsch Variation, 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Bb4+ 4.Bd2 Qe7, keeps the tension: after White fianchettoes with g3 and Bg2 you usually exchange on d2 and build a dark-square centre with ...Nc6, ...d6 and ...e5. The Wade-Smyslov Variation, with ...a5, supports the bishop so that a capture on b4 opens the a-file for your rook. The Retreat Variation, 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Bb4+ 4.Bd2 Be7, is subtle: the white bishop now stands passively on d2, and you continue with ...d5 in Catalan style. The Haiti Variation, with ...Nc6, develops fast and prepares ...d6 and ...e5.
White can also block with the knight from b1, avoiding doubled pawns and preparing a3 to win the bishop pair; here ...d5, ...b6 or ...c5 are typical. The New England Variation, with the other knight going to d2, is much rarer. In Catalan-style positions after g3 your usual breaks are ...c5 and ...e5, and the long light diagonal needs care. Beware the Monticelli Trap from the related Queen's Indian move order: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6 4.g3 Bb7 5.Bg2 Bb4+ 6.Bd2 Bxd2+ 7.Qxd2 O-O 8.Nc3 Ne4 9.Qc2 Nxc3 10.Ng5, when White threatens mate on h7 and the b7-bishop at once and wins material.
Who is it for?
The Bogo-Indian suits positional players who want a reliable, low-maintenance defence, especially if you already play ...e6 set-ups. The theory is lighter than in many main lines, which makes it a good choice for club players with limited study time. The downside is that winning chances are hard to create against an opponent who is happy with a small, safe edge, and after giving up the dark-squared bishop you must handle the dark squares carefully. First choose one answer to the bishop block (the queen move, ...a5 or the retreat) and stick with it, then learn the ...d6 and ...e5 plan.