Neo-Indian Attack

Neo-Indian Attack

	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h
8									8
7									7
6									6
5									5
4									4
3									3
2									2
1									1
	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Bg5

The Neo-Indian Attack is a chess opening that begins with the moves:

1. d4 Nf6

2. c4 e6

3. Bg5

This opening is also known as the Seirawan Attack, after top 1980s player Yasser Seirawan.

Description

The pinning of the f6-knight looks similar to the Torre Attack, but while the Torre is fairly common, the Neo-Indian is rarely played. The move order has been used by players such as David Janowski against Edward Lasker in New York City 1922.^[1] The opening has been considered possible opening surprise in the Secrets of Opening Surprises series.^[2]

The most common responses from Black are:

• 3...h6 which forces the bishop to move again, and unlike the Trompowsky Attack, 4.Bxf6 will not leave Black with doubled pawns.
• 3...Bb4+ which can transpose to the Leningrad variation of the Nimzo-Indian Defense after 4.Nc3 or lead to unique variations after 4.Nd2.
• 3...c5 4.d5
• 3...Be7

Unless the game transposes to another variation, the Neo-Indian is classified as E00 by the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings.

References