ECO code: A15
English Opening: Anglo-Indian Defense, Queen's Indian Formation 3.g3 Bb7
This opening arises after the moves 1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 b6 3. g3 Bb7. Black adopts the Queen's Indian setup by fianchettoing the light-squared bishop to b7, aiming to exert pressure on the central and queenside dark squares. The move 3.g3 by White prepares to fianchetto the kingside bishop, supporting control over the long diagonal and solidifying control of the center from a distance.
Characteristic: The key idea behind Black's 3...Bb7 is to challenge White's control of the center indirectly, applying pressure on the e4 and d5 squares without occupying the center immediately with pawns. This reflects a hypermodern approach, where control is exerted through piece activity rather than direct occupation.
Playing style: From White's perspective, this setup is more positional and flexible, aiming for gradual central influence and kingside fianchetto defense. It is generally neither overtly attacking nor purely defensive but focuses on control and piece development. Black’s 3...Bb7 is somewhat defensive and positional, aiming to undermine White's center later rather than engaging in immediate confrontation.
Center control: Neither side occupies the center directly with pawns at this stage. Instead, both use their fianchettoed bishops and knights to control central squares from a distance, reflecting a hypermodern strategy that challenges the center indirectly rather than attacking it immediately with pawns.
This opening is defined by the position shown on the board below. The moves displayed are a typical sequence that leads to it, but different sequences can reach the same position and still carry the same opening name.