Answers.Body: <blockquote>
    <p>Old Indian defense variation: 1. d4 d6 2. c4 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nc6 : how should White respond?</p>
  </blockquote>
  
  <p>White should continue to <strong>fight for the center</strong>, as always and Black should continue developing so he can pressure Whites pawn center <strong>from afar.</strong></p>
  
  <blockquote>
    <p>I couldn't find this variation discussed anywhere which leads me to think it is likely an inferior line for Black. </p>
  </blockquote>
  
  <p>I am not surprised-Black is tempting White to <strong>overextend</strong> by chasing the knight but this is not <em>Alekhine's defense</em> and I think White can get slight advantage from this position.</p>
  
  <blockquote>
    <p>If so, how should White continue to gain advantage? 4. e4 perhaps ? </p>
  </blockquote>
  
  <p>No, not <code>e4</code>. White should use this moment to seize the initiative and <strong>hinder Black's development.</strong> You see, Black's only compensation for giving White the center power is his <strong>superior development.</strong> He will use it to pressure  White's center or undermine it with flank attack. I suggest immediate <code>d5</code> as an answer. See the detailed variations below.</p>
  
  <pre><code>[FEN ""]
  
  1. d4 d6 2. c4 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nc6?! 4.d5! Nb8 ( 4...Nb4? 5.Qa4++- ) ( 4...Na5? 5.Qa4+! c6 6.b4! Nxc4 7.dxc6! b5 ( 7...bxc6? 8.Qxc6++- ) ( 7...Nb6 8.cxb7+!+- Nxa4 9.bxa8=Q Nxc3 10.Qc6+!+- ) 8.Qxb5!?+- ) ( 4...Ne5? 5.f4! Ned7 ( 5...Ng6? 6.e4 e5 7.f5! Ne7 8.Bg5!? ) 6.e4 ) 5.e4
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>and White is tempo up <strong>in all the above variations</strong> comparing to the usual <em>King's Indian defense</em> opening moves. </p>
  
  <p>Since every tempo counts in the <em>King's Indian defense</em> this is a big plus-White will be <strong>faster in reaching his typical queen side attack</strong> while Black will be one tempo behind in generating King side attack. At the very least, this should force Black into long, <strong>passive</strong> defense since he will not be able to generate typical counter-play.</p>
  
  <p>As for the moves with <code>!?</code> in the sidelines mentioned in the above diagram, you should consult the engine to find even stronger continuation-I just gave you my thought-it might not be the best move but I like the fact it maintains initiative/pressure.</p>
  
  <p>Hopefully this answer helped you. If you have further questions leave a comment and I will reply.</p>
  
  <p>Best regards.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2014-01-28T14:11:03.283Z
Answers.Text: Actually I played what in retrospect was an amazingly sheepish 4. e3. I lost the game.
Answers.UserDisplayName: Marcus Junius Brutus
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2014-01-28T14:21:26.810Z
Answers.Text: @MarcusJuniusBrutus: `e3` can pass too, but will not offer you any advantage-only equal chances. In fact it **justifies** Blacks `Nc6` move and gives him counter-play. But look at this from a brighter side-next time you will b able to demolish your opponent with this sequence of moves ;)
Answers.UserDisplayName: AlwaysLearningNewStuff
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2014-01-28T13:47:32.320Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2014-01-28T14:31:26.383Z
Answers.LastEditDate: 2014-01-28T14:31:26.383Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: AlwaysLearningNewStuff
Answers.Body: <p>The best reply for white and most usual in that position is Nf3, just finishing development and trying to castle kingside.</p>
  
  <p>A normal continuation could be :</p>
  
  <pre><code> [FEN ""]
    1. d4 d6 2. c4 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nc6 4. Nf3 e5 5. e3 Bg4 6. Be2 Be7 7. O-O O-O *
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>Black should play e5 sooner or later or he will not gain control of the center and space for his pieces</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2014-01-28T11:49:27.227Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2014-01-28T11:49:27.227Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Panzer
Body: <p>I had the following game which transposed to an Old Indian defense position:</p>
  
  <p><code>1. d4 d6 2. c4 Nf6 3. Nc3</code></p>
  
  <p>But then Black did not follow with the main line: <code>3 ... e5</code> (see <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Indian_Defense" rel="nofollow">wikipedia article</a>) but rather with: <code>3... Nc6</code>. </p>
  
  <pre><code>[FEN ""]
  1. d4 d6 2. c4 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nc6 (3... e5)
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>I couldn't find this variation discussed anywhere which leads me to think it is likely an inferior line for Black. If so, how should White continue to gain advantage? <code>4. e4</code> perhaps ?</p>
  
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2014-01-28T11:54:08.523Z
Comments.Text: This position sometimes occurs via `1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 Nc6 3. Nc3 d6`.
Comments.UserDisplayName: Dag Oskar Madsen
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2014-01-28T13:17:41.123Z
Comments.Text: And that line (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 Nc6) is known as "Black Knights' Tango" (new) or "Mexican Defense" (old).
Comments.UserDisplayName: RemcoGerlich
Tags: <opening><old-indian>
Title: Old Indian defense variation: 1. d4 d6 2. c4 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nc6 : how should White respond?
ThreadText: # Old Indian defense variation: 1. d4 d6 2. c4 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nc6 : how should White respond?
  
  (Asked by: username_0 on 2014-01-28)
  
  I had the following game which transposed to an Old Indian defense position:
  
  `1. d4 d6 2. c4 Nf6 3. Nc3`
  
  But then Black did not follow with the main line: `3 ... e5` (see [wikipedia article](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Indian_Defense)) but rather with: `3... Nc6`.
  
  ```
  [FEN ""]
  1. d4 d6 2. c4 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nc6 (3... e5)
  
  ```
  
  I couldn't find this variation discussed anywhere which leads me to think it is likely an inferior line for Black. If so, how should White continue to gain advantage? `4. e4` perhaps ?
  
  **Tags:** opening, old-indian
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_1**: This position sometimes occurs via `1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 Nc6 3. Nc3 d6`.  
  > **username_2**: And that line (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 Nc6) is known as "Black Knights' Tango" (new) or "Mexican Defense" (old).  
  
  ---
  
  ## 2 answers
  
  ### Answer by username_3 on 2014-01-28. Score: 4 | Accepted answer
  
  > Old Indian defense variation: 1. d4 d6 2. c4 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nc6 : how should White respond?
  
  White should continue to **fight for the center**, as always and Black should continue developing so he can pressure Whites pawn center **from afar.**
  
  > I couldn't find this variation discussed anywhere which leads me to think it is likely an inferior line for Black.
  
  I am not surprised-Black is tempting White to **overextend** by chasing the knight but this is not *Alekhine's defense* and I think White can get slight advantage from this position.
  
  > If so, how should White continue to gain advantage? 4. e4 perhaps ?
  
  No, not `e4`. White should use this moment to seize the initiative and **hinder Black's development.** You see, Black's only compensation for giving White the center power is his **superior development.** He will use it to pressure White's center or undermine it with flank attack. I suggest immediate `d5` as an answer. See the detailed variations below.
  
  ```
  [FEN ""]
  
  1. d4 d6 2. c4 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nc6?! 4.d5! Nb8 ( 4...Nb4? 5.Qa4++- ) ( 4...Na5? 5.Qa4+! c6 6.b4! Nxc4 7.dxc6! b5 ( 7...bxc6? 8.Qxc6++- ) ( 7...Nb6 8.cxb7+!+- Nxa4 9.bxa8=Q Nxc3 10.Qc6+!+- ) 8.Qxb5!?+- ) ( 4...Ne5? 5.f4! Ned7 ( 5...Ng6? 6.e4 e5 7.f5! Ne7 8.Bg5!? ) 6.e4 ) 5.e4
  
  ```
  
  and White is tempo up **in all the above variations** comparing to the usual *King's Indian defense* opening moves.
  
  Since every tempo counts in the *King's Indian defense* this is a big plus-White will be **faster in reaching his typical queen side attack** while Black will be one tempo behind in generating King side attack. At the very least, this should force Black into long, **passive** defense since he will not be able to generate typical counter-play.
  
  As for the moves with `!?` in the sidelines mentioned in the above diagram, you should consult the engine to find even stronger continuation-I just gave you my thought-it might not be the best move but I like the fact it maintains initiative/pressure.
  
  Hopefully this answer helped you. If you have further questions leave a comment and I will reply.
  
  Best regards.
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_0**: Actually I played what in retrospect was an amazingly sheepish 4. e3. I lost the game.  
  > **username_3**: @username_0: `e3` can pass too, but will not offer you any advantage-only equal chances. In fact it **justifies** Blacks `Nc6` move and gives him counter-play. But look at this from a brighter side-next time you will b able to demolish your opponent with this sequence of moves ;)  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_4 on 2014-01-28. Score: 3
  
  The best reply for white and most usual in that position is Nf3, just finishing development and trying to castle kingside.
  
  A normal continuation could be :
  
  ```
   [FEN ""]
    1. d4 d6 2. c4 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nc6 4. Nf3 e5 5. e3 Bg4 6. Be2 Be7 7. O-O O-O *
  
  ```
  
  Black should play e5 sooner or later or he will not gain control of the center and space for his pieces
  
  
  ---
  
  