Queen's Indian Defense
Black prepares a queenside fianchetto to control central squares from a distance. White develops behind the center and tries to contest e4; watch when pawns block or open the long diagonal.
Your plan as White
Develop behind a stable center and challenge Black's control of e4.
The opponent’s plan
Use the queenside fianchetto to contest central squares while completing kingside development.
Watch out: A long diagonal becomes useful only when central pawns and pieces allow it to operate.
Opening game…
Practice this line as White.
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Name, background and sources
The defense gained attention among the hypermodern players of the 1920s and 1930s. Later generations developed new ways to challenge its solid central control.
Read the opening background on Chess.com ↗Lichess opening names and reference lines (CC0)
ChessSum provides original explanatory notes. Related lines are labeled separately. Reference lines illustrate ideas; they are not a claim that every other legal move is wrong.
Watch how the center and piece development change. Each arrow previews the next move.