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.
Queen's Indian Defense
Moves: 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6
The Queen's Indian Defense is a solid and flexible opening choice for Black, characterized by the move ...b6. This move prepares to fianchetto the bishop to b7, where it will exert long-range pressure on White's central and queenside squares, particularly targeting the e4 and d5 squares.
From Black's perspective, the Queen's Indian is primarily a defensive and positional opening, aiming to control key squares without immediate confrontation in the center. Black often allows White to occupy the center initially but plans to undermine it later with timely pawn breaks and piece pressure.
As White, the strategy usually involves maintaining or building a strong central presence with pawns on d4 and c4, while developing pieces actively to exploit the space advantage.
Regarding central control, the Queen's Indian Defense does not directly contest the center with pawns early on but focuses on controlling key central squares from a distance. It is a strategic rather than a direct attacking opening in the center.
Practice puzzles and train your tactics with real positions from games that used the Queen's Indian Defense, and sharpen your opening mastery.
Puzzle 1 of 19 - Move #6 black
You can also discover how top players used Queen's Indian Defense to leverage key strategies to secure victories in these classic matchups.