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.
Opening Name: Neo-Indian: 3.Nf3 Be7
Moves: 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Be7
Description: The Neo-Indian Defense arises after Black develops the bishop to e7 on the third move, following a standard Queen's Pawn opening setup. This move is a flexible and somewhat classical choice, preparing for kingside castling while keeping options open for central pawn breaks like ...d5 or ...c5 later. By playing ...Be7, Black aims for solid development rather than immediate confrontation in the center.
Characteristic: The move ...Be7 is characteristic of a solid and flexible setup, prioritizing safe king development and maintaining a strong defensive posture without committing prematurely to central tension.
Attacking or Defensive: From Black’s perspective, this is a primarily defensive and positional move, focusing on solidifying the position and preparing to castle. White, meanwhile, can look to maintain or increase central control and space advantage.
Center Control: This opening does not immediately challenge White’s center but supports a balanced and stable central structure. Black waits for White’s plan before deciding on central counterplay, typically aiming to contest the center later with moves like ...d5 or ...c5.
Practice puzzles and train your tactics with real positions from games that used the Neo-Indian: 3.Nf3 Be7, and sharpen your opening mastery.
Puzzle 1 of 4 - Move #9 black
You can also discover how top players used Neo-Indian: 3.Nf3 Be7 to leverage key strategies to secure victories in these classic matchups.