Chessstack

Bogo-Indian Defense: Wade-Smyslov Variation

ECO code
E11
Moves
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About this variation

Black supports the bishop with 4...a5, keeping it on b4 and gaining queenside space. It is popular at top level.

The Wade-Smyslov Variation is 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Bb4+ 4. Bd2 a5. Black supports the bishop on b4 with the a-pawn, so that it cannot be driven away by a3 and b4. The pawn on a5 also gains queenside space and controls the b4 square, which can become a strong outpost.

White's main set-up is g3, Bg2, O-O and Nc3, or Qc2 with a3 to challenge the bishop. White aims for a small edge based on the bishop pair if Black trades on c3 or d2, and on central space.

Black's plans include ...d5 or ...d6, ...O-O and ...Nc6, building a solid center. Black often keeps the bishop on b4 for as long as possible and trades it only when White has spent time on a3 or Qc2. The ...b6 and ...Bb7 set-up is also common.

The Wade-Smyslov leads to positions where both sides have flexible plans. Black's main asset is the solid position and the outpost on b4, while White has more space and the long-term chance of the bishop pair.

A common mistake for Black is to weaken the queenside too much with ...a5 and ...b6, leaving holes on b5 and c6. A common mistake for White is to chase the bishop without completing development.

This line suits Black players who like flexible set-ups and are happy to maneuver. White players should learn the typical plans with the fianchetto and with Qc2.

One concrete line is 5. g3 d5 6. Qc2 Nc6 7. Bg2 dxc4 8. Qxc4 Qd5, when Black trades into a solid position with equal chances. Another is 5. g3 d6 6. Bg2 Nbd7 7. O-O e5, with a structure similar to the Old Indian Defense.

It is one of the main lines of the Bogo-Indian Defense.

Bogo-Indian Defense: Wade-Smyslov Variation statistics

The Bogo-Indian Defense: Wade-Smyslov Variation was reached in 17,689 master games (<0.1% of all master games), and White scored 53% from there. On Lichess it comes up in <0.1% of games, most often among players rated 2201–2400 (<0.1%).

Master games

17,689

<0.1% of games between players rated 2500+

Club games on Lichess

6,729

<0.1% of games between players rated up to 2400

White wins Draws Black wins

How often it comes up, by rating

  • 1201–1400 <0.1%
  • 1401–1600 <0.1%
  • 1601–1800 <0.1%
  • 1801–2000 <0.1%
  • 2001–2200 <0.1%
  • 2201–2400 <0.1%

Most common next moves in master games

MoveGamesPlayedResults
5. g310,95162%
5. a32,72715%
5. Nc32,02211%
5. e31,4057.9%
5. Qc24252.4%

Famous players with the most games here

  • Chessbrah 30 games
  • Alexandra Botez 28 games
  • Dina Belenkaya 15 games
  • Daniel Naroditsky 6 games
  • Levy Rozman (GothamChess) 6 games
  • Anatoly Karpov 5 games

Master games from the Chessmont database (CC BY-SA 4.0). Club games from the Lichess open database.

Other Bogo-Indian Defense variations