4.g3 Ba6: the main fianchetto line is variation 1 of 5 in the Queen's Indian Defence course, a advanced opening course for Black (ECO E15). It runs 24 moves and begins 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Ba6 …. 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. In the lesson every move is explained on a board and then drilled; it is free.
Move by move
1. d4 – White takes the centre and opens the c1 bishop.
1... Nf6 – Black develops and keeps an eye on e4.
2. c4 – White gains space and puts more pressure on d5.
2... e6 – Black opens the f8 bishop and keeps every option open.
3. Nf3 – White develops and keeps the knight off c3, where it could be pinned.
3... b6 – The Queen's Indian Defence. The bishop heads for the long diagonal to fight for e4.
4. g3 – The most popular plan. White's bishop goes to g2 to fight on the same diagonal.
4... Ba6 – A clever move. The bishop attacks the c4 pawn, so White must spend time to guard it.
5. b3 – The main answer. The pawn guards c4.
5... Bb4+ – A check with a point. White's best block puts the bishop on d2, where it gets in the way.
6. Bd2 – White blocks with the bishop.
6... Be7 – The bishop steps back. Now White's bishop on d2 takes the knight's best square.
7. Bg2 – White finishes the fianchetto.
7... c6 – A useful move. Black gets ready to push the d-pawn to d5 with full support.
8. Bc3 – The bishop moves to a better square and frees d2 for the knight.
8... d5 – Black strikes in the centre. The c4 pawn is now attacked twice.
The lesson goes on for 8 more moves, each with its explanation.
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