Queen's Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Traditional Variation, Main Line position after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6 4.g3 Bb7 5.Bg2 Be7 6.O-O O-O 7.Nc3 Ne4 8.Qc2 Nxc3 9.Qxc3. White: pawn on c4, pawn on d4, queen on c3, knight on f3, pawn on g3, pawn on a2, pawn on b2, pawn on e2, pawn on f2, bishop on g2, pawn on h2, rook on a1, bishop on c1, rook on f1, king on g1. Black: rook on a8, knight on b8, queen on d8, rook on f8, king on g8, pawn on a7, bishop on b7, pawn on c7, pawn on d7, bishop on e7, pawn on f7, pawn on g7, pawn on h7, pawn on b6, pawn on e6.
Queen's Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Traditional Variation, Main Line is a chess opening that arises after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6 4.g3 Bb7 5.Bg2 Be7 6.O-O O-O 7.Nc3 Ne4 8.Qc2 Nxc3 9.Qxc3. It is classified E19 in the ECO system, and the position after these moves has black to move. The Queen's Indian fianchettoes the light-squared bishop to fight for the e4 square along the long diagonal. It is the standard companion to the Nimzo-Indian, used when White avoids 3.Nc3 and so denies Black the Nimzo pin.
Strategic character
Solid and manoeuvring. Black keeps the position under control and contests the centre with pieces rather than pawns, leading to positions that are hard to break down but that require patience to play for a win.
Who should play it
Positional players who already play the Nimzo-Indian and need a consistent answer to 3.Nf3.
This line is a variation within the Queen's Indian Defense family. The strategic ideas above describe the family as a whole; this particular line reaches them by the move order 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6 4.g3 Bb7 5.Bg2 Be7 6.O-O O-O 7.Nc3 Ne4 8.Qc2 Nxc3 9.Qxc3.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Queen's Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Traditional Variation, Main Line?
The Queen's Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Traditional Variation, Main Line is a chess opening that arises after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6 4.g3 Bb7 5.Bg2 Be7 6.O-O O-O 7.Nc3 Ne4 8.Qc2 Nxc3 9.Qxc3. It is classified E19 in the ECO system. The Queen's Indian fianchettoes the light-squared bishop to fight for the e4 square along the long diagonal. It is the standard companion to the Nimzo-Indian, used when White avoids 3.Nc3 and so denies Black the Nimzo pin.
What are the moves of the Queen's Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Traditional Variation, Main Line?
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6 4.g3 Bb7 5.Bg2 Be7 6.O-O O-O 7.Nc3 Ne4 8.Qc2 Nxc3 9.Qxc3. After these moves it is black to move.
Is the Queen's Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Traditional Variation, Main Line good for beginners?
Positional players who already play the Nimzo-Indian and need a consistent answer to 3.Nf3.