Queen's Indian Defense, with e3 · E14
Main line, after 1. d4, through 6... Be7, line 4
1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. e3 b6 4. Bd3 Bb7 5. O-O c5 6. c4 Be7
Black's queenside bishop takes the long diagonal. ...b6 and ...Bb7 control e4 from the flank: a sound, flexible sister of the Nimzo where piece pressure replaces pawn contact.
The first 4 moves, explained
- 1. d4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling e5, and frees the bishop and queen.
- 1... Nf6 Develops the knight to f6, eyeing d5 and e4.
- 2. Nf3 Develops the knight to f3, eyeing d4 and e5. It also props up the d4 pawn. Theory calls this the Knights Variation.
- 2... e6 Supports the centre, adding control of d5.
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Where this fits
This line is one of 14 in the Queen's Indian Defense, with e3. If you want to know where your own games leave it, the guide on leaving theory explains how that is found.