Queen's Indian: 4.e3 Bb7 5.Bd3

Before the first move

The Queen's Indian Defense is a sophisticated hypermodern opening where Black controls the center with pieces rather than pawns. By fianchettoing the light-squared bishop, Black exerts long-range pressure on e4. White aims for a solid setup with e3 and Bd3, preparing to castle and eventually challenge Black's influence with a central pawn push.

1. d4White · your move

Move your pawn to d4. This classic opening move claims space in the center and opens lines for your queen and dark-squared bishop. It is the foundation for many powerful systems, including the Queen's Gambit and various Indian defenses.

1... Nf6Black

Black replies Nf6, a classic hypermodern move that controls e4 and d5 without committing any pawns yet. While moves like d5 or e6 are standard, Nf6 is the most popular at the master level. Rarer tries like the Englund Gambit or the English Defense are much riskier.

Other paths here: Na6 (Australian Defense) · g5 (Borg Defense: Borg Gambit) · b6 (English Defense) · e5 (Englund Gambit)

2. c4White · your move

Push your pawn to c4. This move increases your control over the d5-square and prepares to bring your knight to c3. It is the standard follow-up in the Queen's Gambit complex, putting immediate pressure on Black's central strategy.

Other paths here: f4 (Canard Opening) · g4 (Indian Defense: Gibbins-Weidenhagen Gambit) · e4 (Indian Defense: Omega Gambit) · d5 (Indian Defense: Pawn Push Variation)

2... e6Black

Black plays e6, a very flexible move. You are now hinting at a Nimzo-Indian if White plays Nc3. Other options for Black include the King's Indian setup with g6 or the sharp Benoni with c5, but e6 is the hallmark of a solid, classical approach.

Other paths here: g5 (Indian Defense: Medusa Gambit) · b5 (Indian Defense: Pyrenees Gambit) · a6 (Indian: 2.c4 a6) · Nc6 (Mexican Defense)

3. Nf3White · your move

Develop your knight to f3. This natural developing move controls the center and avoids the Nimzo-Indian Defense by not putting the knight on c3 yet. You are keeping Black guessing about your exact setup while preparing to castle kingside.

Other paths here: g3 (Catalan Opening) · Qb3 (Indian Defense) · g4 (Indian Defense: Devin Gambit) · Bg5 (Indian Defense: Seirawan Attack)

3... b6Black

Black plays b6, the signature move of the Queen's Indian. Instead of this, you might see d5 leading to a Queen's Gambit or Be7 for a more restrained setup. By choosing b6, Black commits to a hypermodern battle for the long diagonal.

Other paths here: d5 (Queen's Gambit Declined) · Ne4 (Indian Defense: Döry Indian) · a6 (Indian Defense: Dzindzi-Indian Defense) · Be7 (Neo-Indian: 3.Nf3 Be7)

4. e3White · your move

Push your pawn to e3. This solidifies your d4 pawn and opens the path for your light-squared bishop. While g3 is the most common way to play against the Queen's Indian, e3 leads to a very solid and reliable system known as the Modern Main Line.

Other paths here: Nc3 (Queen's Indian Defense: Kasparov Variation) · Bf4 (Queen's Indian Defense: Miles Variation) · a3 (Queen's Indian Defense: Petrosian Variation) · Bg5 (Queen's Indian: 4.Bg5)

4... Bb7Black

Black replies Bb7, completing the first stage of the opening plan. The bishop is now beautifully placed. Alternatively, Black sometimes checks with Bb4+ to disrupt White's coordination, but the immediate development to b7 is the most direct way to implement the Queen's Indian strategy.

Other paths here: Bb4+ (Queen's Indian: 4.e3 Bb4+)

5. Bd3White · your move

Develop your bishop to d3. This is the most active square for the bishop, where it supports the center and eyes the kingside. You are now ready to castle and begin your middlegame plans, having established a very harmonious position.

Other paths here: Nc3 (Queen's Indian: 4.e3 Bb7 5.Nc3)

Where you stand

The position is balanced and rich with ideas. White will likely castle and then look to play Nc3 and possibly e4 or c5 to gain space. Black will also castle and then decide whether to challenge the center with d5 or c5. The battle revolves around Black's pressure on e4 versus White's central space and kingside attacking potential.

• e1-g1 Castle kingside to secure the king
• b1-c3 Develop the knight to control d5
• e8-g8 Castle kingside to complete development
• c7-c5 Challenge the center with a pawn break
• f8-e7 Develop the dark-squared bishop