Prepare to develop a bishop

Black now makes a decision as to which way they intend to develop their bishop(s). Then, White chooses which line they would like to play, generally from the options 3. c4, 3. g3 (preparing to fianchetto), 3. Bg5 or 3. Bf4, or 3. e3.

2...g6 is the most common move. Black prepares to fianchetto their kingside bishop and play in a King's Indian or Grünfeld style. White can transpose into a King's Indian with 3. c4, but other plans include 3. g3, the Przepiorka variation, 3. Bg5, the Torre attack, or 3. Bf4, the London system.

2...e6 and Black prepares to deploy their bishop on the a2-f8 diagonal. White has the usual options of 3. c4, 3. g3, 3. Bg5 or 3. Bf4. 3. e3, like the Colle, is called the Yusupov-Rubinstein system.

2...b6, the Pseudo-Queens Indian defence, and 2...d6, the Wade-Tartakower defence, make a decision about Black's queenside bishop instead.

Play a pawn to the centre

Alternatively, Black can still play a pawn in the centre.

If Black plays 2...d5 after all, the third most common move, White has the option to transpose into a Queen's gambit.

2...c5, the Spielmann-Indian, resembles the Benoni defence (1. d4 c5). White usually pushes the d pawn to d5 save it or defends it with c3 or e3.

Other moves

• 2...c6, the Czech-Indian, usually reaches a Slav-style set-up. 3. c4 d5.
• 2...b5!?, the Polish variation, looks to prevent c4 while preparing ...Bb7.
• 2...Ne4!? is called the Döry defence.