Queen's Indian Defense Guide

The Queen’s Indian Defense is a chess opening for black that starts with the moves 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6. It is a solid opening that black can choose to play if they want a game with less risks and more positional play. This is a hypermodern opening, and a great choice for black to play against the Queen´s Gambit.

Main Ideas in the Queen’s Indian Defense

The main idea of the Queen’s indian Defense is to try to control the center, and specifically the e4 and d5 squares, with the bishop placed in b7.

Black can also play their queen bishop to a6 first, creating pressure on the c4 pawn. This is in fact the most common plan for black.

White can play g3 and Bg2 to fight for the h1-a8 diagonal as well.

Most Played Moves in the Queen’s Indian Defense

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

Black has decided to play the Queen’s Indian Defense.

4.g3 Ba6

White decided to fianchetto their light-squared bishop as well. Black goes for pressure on the c4 pawn rather than a direct fight on the h1-a8 diagonal.

5.b3 Bb4

White defends the c4 pawn and prepares a second fianchetto at the same time. Black develops their dark-squared bishop naturally to b4.

6.Bd2 Be7

Black avoids the exchange of bishops.

7.Bg2 c6

Black prepares the d5 move.

8.Bc3 d5

White places their other bishop in the other diagonal, and black establishes a strong center with d5.

9.Ne5 Nfd7

Ne5 is annoying for black because of the pressure on c6 and d5, so black immediately tries to exchange it.

10.Nxd7 Nxd7

Main Line in the Queen’s Indian Defense

The main line of the Queen’s Indian Defense is, as we just saw, white playing 4.g3.

Apart from 4…Ba6, black can also play the natural 4…Bb7.

Play can continue with 5.Bg2 Be7 6.O-O O-O

7.Nc3 Ne4 8.Nxe4 Bxe4

9.Ne1 Bxg2 10.Nxg2 d5

Petrosian Variation

In the Petrosian Variation of the Queen’s Indian Defense, white plays an early 4.a3 to prevent black’s dark-squared bishop from pinning the knight on c3.

Play can continue with 4…Bb7 5.Nc3 d5 6.cxd5 Nxd5 7.Qc2 Nxc3 8.bxc3 Be7.

Spassky System

In the Spassky System, white simply plays 4.e3 to try to develop naturally and castle early.

Play can continue with 4…Bb7 5.Bd3 d5 6.O-O Bd6.

Miles System

Here white plays 4.Bf4

Play can continue with 4…Bb7 5.e3 Be7 6.h3 c5.

Kasparov Variation

In the Kasparov Variation of the Queen’s Indian Defense, white plays 4.Nc3.

If black plays 4…Bb4, it’s a mixture between the Queen’s Indian and the Nimzo-Indian.

Model Games

Related Chess Courses

Queen’s Indian Defense with IM Marcin Sieciechowicz

Other Interesting Articles

King's Gambit Full Guide

London System Complete Guide

Best Chess Openings for Black

E12 Sub-variants:

• Queen's Indian defence
  1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6
• Queen's Indian, Miles variation
  1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. Bf4
• Queen's Indian, Petrosian system
  1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. a3
• Queen's Indian, 4.Nc3
  1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. Nc3
• Queen's Indian, 4.Nc3, Botvinnik variation
  1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. Nc3 Bb7 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 g5 7. Bg3 Nh5