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.
English Opening: Anglo-Indian Defense, Queen's Indian Formation
This opening begins with 1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 b6. Black’s move 2...b6 is the hallmark of the Queen's Indian Defense setup, aiming to fianchetto the dark-squared bishop to b7, where it exerts pressure on the long diagonal and supports control of the central squares, especially e4.
Characteristic: The move 2...b6 is characteristic of a hypermodern approach, where Black allows White to occupy the center initially but plans to undermine and attack it later with pieces rather than pawns.
Attacking or Defensive: From White’s perspective, the opening is flexible and can be used both to build a solid position or to prepare for central breakthroughs. Black’s setup is primarily defensive and reactive early on, focusing on solid development and control rather than immediate confrontation.
Center Control: This opening does not involve an immediate pawn push to the center by Black but aims to control the center indirectly with pieces. White typically tries to occupy or influence the center with pawns and knights, while Black uses the bishop on b7 and knights to pressure central squares.
Practice puzzles and train your tactics with real positions from games that used the English Opening: Anglo-Indian Defense, Queen's Indian Formation, and sharpen your opening mastery.
Puzzle 1 of 1 - Move #9 white
You can also discover how top players used English Opening: Anglo-Indian Defense, Queen's Indian Formation to leverage key strategies to secure victories in these classic matchups.