ECO E12 · for Black
Queen's Indian Defense
The line below is what Lichess 1600-1800 players actually play: after the opening's defining moves, each move is the most common choice at that point. The notes are Chessbook's move notes, the same ones shown while building a repertoire.
250,760 games in this band reached the Queen's Indian Defense position. From there Black won 46% and drew 4%.
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. Nc3 Bb7 5. Bg5 Be7 6. e3 O-O 7. Bd3 d5 8. O-O Nbd7
Moves 1 to 2
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6
1. d4
The Queen's Pawn opening is more usually more positional in nature, White intends to develop the pieces while having a share of the center.
1... Nf6
Preventing e4 while developing a piece.
2. c4
Controlling some central squares using a flank pawn before playing Nc3
2... e6
Preparing for a solid setup with d5, often leading to the Queen's Gambit Declined or the Nimzo-Indian Defense. This move also frees the dark-squared bishop.
Moves 3 to 4
3. Nf3 b6 4. Nc3 Bb7
3. Nf3
Preparing for a quick development of the bishop to either e2 or d3 and also controlling the e5 square, which can be a potential outpost for the knight in the future.
3... b6
Black intends to Fianchetto his Queenside Bishop
4. Nc3
Developing the knight and fighting for control of the light-squares in the center.
- 4. g3: Fianchettoing the bishop, which will oppose black's light squared bishop.
4... Bb7
Developing the bishop to the long diagonal where it helps control the e4 square.
- 4... Bb4: Developing the bishop and pinning the knight to the king. Black is also preparing to castle.
Moves 5 to 6
5. Bg5 Be7 6. e3 O-O
5. Bg5
5... Be7
6. e3
6... O-O
Moves 7 to 8
7. Bd3 d5 8. O-O Nbd7
7. Bd3
7... d5
8. O-O
8... Nbd7
Plans for Black in this position
What Black usually does from here in Chessbook's games data. Hover a move to see it on the board.
- The pawn on c5 typically captures the pawn on d4
- The queen generally recaptures the bishop on e7
- The knight on f6 usually recaptures the pawn on d5
- The queenside rook often develops to c8
- The knight on f6 often moves to e4
- Common pawn moves are h6 and c5
Related opening guides
- Sicilian Defense for Black
- French Defense for Black
- Scandinavian Defense for Black
- Caro-Kann Defense for Black
- Scandinavian Defense: Mieses-Kotroc Variation for Black
- Philidor Defense for Black