Indian Defense: Polish Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
68,604 games: White 47.9% / Draw 6.2% / Black 45.9%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 15,26715K | ||
| 14,61215K | ||
| 11,41811K | ||
| 8,7728,772 | ||
| 4,4864,486 | ||
| 3,3063,306 | ||
| 3,0753,075 | ||
| 2,4512,451 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 30, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.50 White is slightly better
Best play: 3. Nbd2 Bb7 4. e4 Nxe4 5. Nxe4 Bxe4 6. Bxb5 e6 7. O-O c6
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Indian Defense: Polish Variation (ECO A46, Flank Openings) is a variation of the Indian Defense: Knights Variation, reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 b5 (2 moves).
In 68,604 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 47.9%, Black 45.9% and 6.2% were drawn. White's most played move here is 3. e3, in 22% of those games.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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How to play against the Indian Defense: Polish Variation
3. Bg5 scores best for White: 53.0%, with White winning 50.1% and Black 44.1% of 8,772 games. The most played, 3. e3, scores 51.0% in 15K games, and 3. g3 scores lowest: 50.4%. Stockfish's first choice is 3. Nbd2.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: White's wins plus half the draws, in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500. How to play against other popular openings
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Indian Defense: Polish Variation (A46)”. Lichess data as of 30 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/indian-defense-polish-variation