ECO code: A46
Indian: London, 3...c5 4.e3 Qb6
This opening arises after the moves 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. Bf4 c5 4. e3 Qb6. Black immediately challenges White's central presence and the light-squared bishop by pressuring the d4 pawn and targeting b2 with the queen on b6.
Characteristic: The move 4...Qb6 is a common thematic idea in many Indian defenses to put immediate pressure on White’s center and queenside, often provoking weaknesses or concessions. It aims to combine active piece play with tactical threats, leveraging the pin on the b2 pawn.
Attacking or Defensive: From Black’s perspective, this is an attacking move, seeking to undermine White’s center and create imbalances early on. White’s setup with e3 and Bf4 is solid and somewhat flexible, so White’s approach tends to be more positional and defensive here, focusing on maintaining the center and developing smoothly.
Center Control: Black’s 3...c5 and 4...Qb6 moves indicate a fight for the center, especially the d4 square, rather than a passive stance. White supports the center with e3 but does not aggressively push in the center immediately; instead, White plans steady development and solid control. Overall, this line features an early contest for the center, with Black actively challenging it.
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.
Practice puzzles and train your tactics with real positions from games that used the Indian: London, 3...c5 4.e3 Qb6, and sharpen your opening mastery.
Puzzle 1 of 2 - Move #7 black