Openings
- Chess Atlas Subsections
- VOL. I • Chess HistoryFrom Chaturanga to Neural Engines
- VOL. II • Classic ChessPieces, Notation & Rules
- VOL. III • Legendary PlayersPantheon of Chess Immortals
- VOL. IV • Great GamesInteractive game studies
- VOL. V • OpeningsOriginal CAISSORA Opening Articles
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Pseudo Queen's Indian Defense
A Queen's Indian with the moves swapped
- Fianchetto
- Hypermodern
Black plays …b6 straight after 2.Nf3, before …e6. The aim is the same as in the Queen's Indian: a bishop on b7 pressing along the long diagonal. Most often White plays 3.c4, Black answers 3…e6, and an ordinary Queen's Indian appears. The difference is that White gets a few extra options on the way, so this move order is thought a shade less precise.
3…e6
Moves
(6 plies • 3 moves)- 1–3moves
- 1.
- 2.
- 3.
Defining move
2…b6 — the fianchetto before …e6
The move that separates it from the standard Queen's Indian
Normally Black plays …e6 first, so that after Nf3 the structure is ready. Here the e-pawn is still at home. White may therefore pick a path of his own, for example 3.Nc3, instead of the usual 3.c4.
Tabiya
A Queen's Indian by another route
The position is a familiar one: Black plays …Bb7, contests the e4 square and keeps a structure without weaknesses. White has a little more space and chooses between g3, Nc3 and a3. Black gets a sturdy, slightly cramped game and waits for the moment for …d5 or …Bb4.
White’s plan
- Play 3.c4 and take space, as in the ordinary Queen's Indian.
- Develop with g3 and Bg2, or with Nc3 and e4.
- Use the extra options of the move order, for example 3.Nc3.
Black’s plan
- Put the bishop on b7 and press along the long diagonal.
- Fight for e4 with …Bb7, …Ne4 or …d5.
- If needed, switch to an ordinary Queen's Indian with …e6.
Games in the Atlas
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