Queen's Indian Defense · E12
Kasparov-Petrosian Variation, Polovodin Gambit
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. Nc3 Bb7 5. a3 d5 6. cxd5 Nxd5 7. e4
An early pawn trade leaves the c-file as White's avenue and the d-file as Black's - both sides get real winning chances down their own file. 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. 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 53 in the Queen's Indian Defense. If you want to know where your own games leave it, the guide on leaving theory explains how that is found.