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    Chess Openings

    Queen's Indian Defense: Yates Variation

    1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Bb4+ 4.Bd2 a5 5.g3 b6 6.Bg2 Bb7 · ECO E16

    Queen's Indian Defense: Yates Variation position after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Bb4+ 4.Bd2 a5 5.g3 b6 6.Bg2 Bb7. White: pawn on c4, pawn on d4, knight on f3, pawn on g3, pawn on a2, pawn on b2, bishop on d2, pawn on e2, pawn on f2, bishop on g2, pawn on h2, rook on a1, knight on b1, queen on d1, king on e1, rook on h1. Black: rook on a8, knight on b8, queen on d8, king on e8, rook on h8, bishop on b7, pawn on c7, pawn on d7, pawn on f7, pawn on g7, pawn on h7, pawn on b6, pawn on e6, knight on f6, pawn on a5, bishop on b4.

    Queen's Indian Defense: Yates Variation is a chess opening that arises after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Bb4+ 4.Bd2 a5 5.g3 b6 6.Bg2 Bb7. It is classified E16 in the ECO system, and the position after these moves has white 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 Bb4+ 4.Bd2 a5 5.g3 b6 6.Bg2 Bb7.

    Frequently asked questions

    What is the Queen's Indian Defense: Yates Variation?
    The Queen's Indian Defense: Yates Variation is a chess opening that arises after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Bb4+ 4.Bd2 a5 5.g3 b6 6.Bg2 Bb7. It is classified E16 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: Yates Variation?
    1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Bb4+ 4.Bd2 a5 5.g3 b6 6.Bg2 Bb7. After these moves it is white to move.
    Is the Queen's Indian Defense: Yates Variation good for beginners?
    Positional players who already play the Nimzo-Indian and need a consistent answer to 3.Nf3.

    Study this opening