ECO code: A16
English: Anglo-Indian, 2.Nc3 g6 3.g3
This opening arises after the moves 1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 O-O 5. Nf3. It is a flexible and hypermodern approach where White fianchettoes the kingside bishop, aiming to control the long diagonal and exert pressure on the central squares from a distance.
Characteristic: The key feature of this setup is White’s early fianchetto with 3.g3, preparing to challenge the center indirectly rather than occupying it immediately. The knight on c3 supports control over the d5 square, while the bishop on g2 eyes the center and queenside.
Attacking or Defensive: From White’s perspective, this setup is generally more positional and controlling than outright attacking. White aims to build a solid, flexible position with potential for central and queenside expansion. Black’s setup with ...g6 and ...Bg7 is also hypermodern, focusing on controlling the center with pieces rather than pawns, so Black is equally poised for counterplay rather than purely defensive.
Center Control: Both sides adopt a hypermodern stance, where direct occupation of the center is delayed. White controls the center from the flanks, particularly via the bishop on g2 and the knight on c3, rather than pushing central pawns immediately. The battle for central influence is subtle and strategic rather than a direct pawn clash.
This opening is defined by the position shown on the board below. The moves displayed are a typical sequence that leads to it, but different sequences can reach the same position and still carry the same opening name.
Practice puzzles and train your tactics with real positions from games that used the English: Anglo-Indian, 2.Nc3 g6 3.g3, and sharpen your opening mastery.
Puzzle 1 of 6 - Move #8 black