The Retreat Variation is a variation of the Bogo-Indian Defense, catalogued as ECO E11. The line runs 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 Bb4+ 4. Bd2 Be7 5. Bg2 d5 6. Nf3 O-O, reaching the position shown below after 12 half-moves.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4, Black on d5), and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at three minor pieces each. It is White to move after six moves. Black has castled while White’s king is still uncommitted.
On the Bogo-Indian Defense generally: ECO E11. A chess opening with 17 known variations.
You can play through this variation move by move in your browser — Learn mode walks the line with an explanation at each step, and Drill mode replays it from memory so you find out whether you actually know it. No account is required.
See all 12 Bogo-Indian Defense variations →
The Retreat Variation goes 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 Bb4+ 4. Bd2 Be7 5. Bg2 d5 6. Nf3 O-O. It is a variation of the Bogo-Indian Defense and is catalogued as ECO E11.
The Retreat Variation is ECO E11. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Bogo-Indian Defense.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 Bb4+ 4. Bd2 Be7 5. Bg2 d5 6. Nf3 O-O at +0.23 at depth 18, which is balanced. Engine evaluation is only a starting point — at club level the practical value of a line is mostly about whether you know its plans better than your opponent does.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4, Black on d5), and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at three minor pieces each. It is White to move. Black has castled while White’s king is still uncommitted.