Openings · plays Black

The Queen's Indian Defence

The soundest answer to 3.Nf3: fianchetto and fight for the e4-square. Few losing chances, a rock to build a repertoire on: Karpov's fortress.

Step through the main line

The lines

The Main Line (4.g3 Ba6)

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Ba6 5. b3 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Be7 7. Bg2 c6 8. Bc3 d5

The Classical (4.g3 Bb7)

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Bb7 5. Bg2 Be7 6. O-O O-O 7. Nc3 Ne4

The Petrosian (4.a3)

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. a3 Bb7 5. Nc3 d5 6. cxd5 Nxd5 7. e3 Be7

vs 4.Nc3 (Nimzo hybrid)

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Bg5 Bb7 6. e3 h6 7. Bh4 Bxc3+ 8. bxc3 d6

How this guide is made: the lines and explanations come from the authored Strong Squares repertoire curriculum. Automated checks verify legal move sequences and required teaching fields. Independent chess-editor approval remains a private-preview release gate. Read the teaching method.