After 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Black plays 3...b6 and puts the bishop on the long diagonal. It is a solid, flexible defence that fights for the e4 square. You learn 4.g3 with both 4...Ba6 and 4...Bb7, the Petrosian 4.a3, the quiet 4.e3 and the sharp 4.Nc3. Three traps show how White players lose material. This is a advanced opening course for Black (ECO E12-E19) with 5 variations and 3 traps, written for players rated around 1800. Each move is explained and then drilled on a board; it is free.
Key ideas of Queen's Indian Defence
The e4 square is the heart of this opening. The b7 bishop and the f6 knight fight for it.
Against 4.g3, the move 4...Ba6 attacks c4 at once. White must spend a move to guard the pawn.
Strike at White's centre with a pawn to c5 or d5 once your pieces are ready.
A knight on e4 is a strong piece. Support it with a pawn on f5 when White attacks it.
Giving the b4 bishop for the c3 knight is a common plan. It leaves White with doubled c-pawns.
Variations you learn
4.g3 Ba6: the main fianchetto line – 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Ba6 5. b3 Bb4+ …. Against 4.g3 Black attacks c4 at once with 4...Ba6. After 5.b3 Bb4+ 6.Bd2 Be7 White's bishop on d2 is in the way. Black follows with ...c6 and ...d5 and gets a solid, equal game.
4.g3 Bb7: the traditional line – 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Bb7 5. Bg2 Be7 …. Black puts the bishop on b7 and fights for e4 with the pieces. After 7.Nc3 Ne4 Black trades a pair of knights. Then Black hits the centre with ...c5 and keeps a balanced game.
4.a3: the Petrosian Variation – 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. a3 Bb7 5. Nc3 d5 …. White takes the b4 square from Black's bishop and plans a big centre. Black answers with ...d5, trades knights on c3 and strikes back with ...c5. White gets the centre and Black gets pressure against it.
4.e3: the quiet line – 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. e3 Bb7 5. Bd3 d5 …. White keeps it simple with e3, a bishop on d3 and castling. Black takes e4 under control with the b7 bishop and a pawn on d5. Both sides develop calmly, and Black has an easy game.
4.Nc3 Bb4: against the Kasparov Variation – 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Bg5 Bb7 …. After 4.Nc3 Black pins the knight with 4...Bb4, as in the Nimzo-Indian. When White pins back with Bg5, Black breaks the pin with ...h6 and ...g5. The knight lands on e4 and Black gives the bishop for the c3 knight.
Traps
4...Ba6 5.Qc2: the 7.e3 slip – After 5.Qc2 c5 6.Bg2 Nc6, the natural 7.e3 is a mistake. Black opens the c-file, the knight hits the queen, and the c4 pawn falls.
4.Nc3 Bb4: the 8.Nxg5 sacrifice – Some White players give the knight on g5 to keep the pin. Black takes, unpins calmly with the bishop, and stays a piece up for two pawns.
4.Nc3 Bb4: the 9.Bd3 slip – After 8...Ne4 the c3 knight is attacked twice. If White plays 9.Bd3, Black takes on c3, gives check, and wins the a1 rook for the bishop.
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