Queen's Indian Defense, with e3 · E14
Main line, after 1. d4, through 7. e3, line 9
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Bb4+ 4. Nbd2 b6 5. a3 Bxd2+ 6. Qxd2 Bb7 7. e3
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. White comes out of the line with the bishop pair.
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. c4 Fights for d5 from the flank - contesting the centre without committing a centre pawn.
- 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.