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Queen's Indian Defense
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Moves 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6
ECO E12–E19
Parent Indian Defense
Synonym(s) QID

The Queen's Indian Defense (often called QID) is a popular chess opening. It starts with these moves:

  • 1. d4 Nf6
  • 2. c4 e6
  • 3. Nf3 b6

This opening is a strong way for Black to defend against White's Queen's Pawn Game. By playing 3...b6, Black gets ready to move their queen's bishop to b7. This move is called a fianchetto (fee-an-KET-toe), and it helps Black control important squares in the middle of the board, like e4 and d5. The opening gets its name from this bishop move.

Like other Indian defenses, Black tries to control the center of the board with their pieces instead of just with pawns. This is part of a style called hypermodern chess. White plays 3.Nf3 to avoid the Nimzo-Indian Defense, which would happen if White played 3.Nc3 and Black responded with 3...Bb4. The Queen's Indian is like a sister opening to the Nimzo-Indian. Both openings try to stop White from taking over the center by playing e2–e4. Together, they are a very respected way to respond to White's first move 1.d4.

What is the Main Line: 4.g3?

The move 4. g3 is a very common and strong choice for White in the Queen's Indian Defense. It helps White control the long diagonal (a1-h8 or h1-a8) by preparing to fianchetto their light-squared bishop to g2.

For a long time, Black's usual response was 4...Bb7. But since the 1980s, 4...Ba6 has become more popular. A less common choice for Black is 4...Bb4+, which aims to trade a bishop, but can sometimes leave Black's position a bit slow.

Why is 4...Ba6 a Modern Choice?

After White plays 4.g3, Black's move 4...Ba6 is a modern and popular choice. White often plays 5. b3 to protect their pawn on c4. However, this move can slightly weaken the dark squares for White. Black can try to use this by playing 5... Bb4+.

If White tries 6.Nbd2, it can lead to problems for White. For example, after 6...Bc3 7.Rb1 Bb7, Black can threaten to win material. So, White's best move is usually 6. Bd2.

After 6... Be7 7. Bg2 c6, Black is ready to play ...d7–d5, which attacks White's c-pawn again. If White trades pawns with cxd5, Black can recapture with ...cxd5, which usually makes the game even. Because of this, White often plays 8. Bc3 to move their bishop and clear the d2-square.

After 8... d5, White has two main ways to play:

  • 9. Nbd2 Nbd7 10. 0-0 0-0 11. Re1 c5: Here, Black gets to make their important pawn break (moving a pawn to challenge the center) before White. The game usually becomes equal after 12. e4 dxe4 13. Nxe4.
  • 9. Ne5: White tries to keep a knight on a strong central square. Black usually plays 9... Nfd7 to challenge this knight. Then, the game often continues 10. Nxd7 Nxd7 11. Nd2 0-0 12. 0-0 Rc8 13. e4. In this line, White gets to make their central pawn break first. This is a very common line in grandmaster games and is considered to be an equal position for both sides.

After White's 5.b3, Black also has other good moves besides 5...Bb4+. A common one is 5... Bb7 6. Bg2 Bb4+ 7. Bd2 a5. If White plays Nc3, Black might trade their bishop for White's knight. This helps Black control the light squares in the center and play on the queenside (the left side of the board) with moves like ...a5–a4 and ...b5. Other options for Black include 5...d5 and 5...b5.

Recently, some top players like Magnus Carlsen have been playing 5. Qc2. The idea behind this move is to allow Black to play ...c5, which is a key move for Black. A main line here is 5... Bb7 6. Bg2 c5. White might even sacrifice a pawn with 7. d5 to get active play. This idea has worked well for White in recent years.

What is the Old Main Line: 4...Bb7?

The classical main line of the Queen's Indian was 4...Bb7. This was the most played line from the 1950s until 4...Ba6 became popular. It usually continues: 5. Bg2 Be7 6. 0-0 0-0 7. Nc3 Ne4 8. Qc2 Nxc3 9. Qxc3.

White has a bit more space on the board, but Black's position is solid and has no weaknesses. Black can create counterplay in different ways, such as 9... c5, 9... f5 or 9... Be4. These lines are known for often leading to a draw. So, 4...Bb7 is sometimes used by Black when they want to play for a draw.

White has tried different moves to make the game less balanced, such as:

  • 8. Bd2: This move protects the knight on c3 and threatens to push the d-pawn to d5.
  • 7. d5!?: This move, first used by Arturo Pomar, sacrifices a pawn. After 7... exd5 8. Nh4, White threatens to win the pawn back or play Nf5.
  • 6. Nc3: This move delays castling (moving the king to safety) to prepare for central pawn pushes like d4–d5 and e2–e4.

Other Ways to Play the Queen's Indian

4.a3: The Petrosian Variation

The Petrosian Variation starts with 4.a3. This move prepares for White to play 5.Nc3 by stopping Black from playing ...Bb4, which would pin White's knight. White plans to follow up with Nc3 and e4, creating a big pawn center. Black usually responds by fighting for control of the e4-square with moves like ...Bb7 and ...d5. This variation was often used by the famous chess player Garry Kasparov when he was younger.

4.Nc3: A Flexible Choice

After 4.Nc3, Black can choose between 4...Bb7 and 4...Bb4.

  • If Black plays 4... Bb7:
    • 5. a3 became a more common way to reach the Petrosian system in the mid-1980s. White avoids certain lines that can happen if they play 4.a3 earlier.
    • 5. Bg5 is an older line. Black often gets good chances to make the game equal after 5...h6 6.Bh4 g5 7.Bg3 Nh5 8.e3 Nxg3 9.hxg3 Bg7. If Black plays 5...Be7, White can choose 6.e3 or 6.Qc2.
  • If Black plays 4... Bb4 (or if the moves are played in a different order, like 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Nf3 b6): This line mixes ideas from the Queen's Indian and the Nimzo-Indian. White has several moves, including 5.Bg5, 5.e3, and 5.Qb3.
    • After 5. Bg5, Black can play 5...Bb7 or 5...h6.
      • If 5...Bb7 6.e3 h6, White can play 7.Bh4.
      • If 5...h6 6.Bh4 Bb7 (or if the moves are played in a different order, like 4...Bb7 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bh4 Bb4), White can play 7.e3. The position after 6...g5 7.Bg3 Ne4 8.Qc2 was studied a lot in the 1980s.
    • After 5. e3, Black usually plays 5...Bb7. White often plays 6.Bd3, leading to a line called the Fischer Variation of the Nimzo-Indian.
    • After 5. Qb3, Black usually plays 5...c5.

4.e3: A Quiet Development

The move 4.e3 prepares to develop White's king's bishop and castle kingside (the right side of the board). This move was a favorite of the famous player Tigran Petrosian. Even though it looks quiet, it can lead to complex games in the middle part of the game. Black usually responds with 4...Bb7. Then, the game might continue 5.Bd3 d5 6.0-0 or 5.Nc3 Bb4, which can lead into the Nimzo-Indian Defense.

4.Bf4: The Miles Variation

The Miles Variation with 4.Bf4 simply develops White's bishop to a good square. Even though the player who created this idea, Tony Miles, had some success with it, this move has never become very popular.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Defensa india de dama para niños

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