Queen's Indian Defense · E16
Yates Variation
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Bb4+ 4. Bd2 a5 5. g3 b6 6. Bg2 Bb7
White's kingside bishop takes the long diagonal and 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's bishop on d2 is pinned against the king.
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.