English Opening: Anglo-Indian Defense, Queen's Indian Variation (A17)

The Anglo-Indian Defense, Queen's Indian Variation is a variation of the English Opening, catalogued as ECO A17. The line runs 1. c4 e6 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 b6 4. e4 Bb7 5. Bd3, reaching the position shown below after 9 half-moves.

White holds the centre with pawns on e4. Development is level at three minor pieces each. It is Black to move after five moves.

On the English Opening generally: A flexible opening where White controls the center with c4. Can transpose into many different systems.

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English Opening: Anglo-Indian Defense, Queen's Indian Variation — position after Bd3 a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
Position after 1. c4 e6 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 b6 4. e4 Bb7 5. Bd3

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1c4e6
2Nc3Nf6
3Nf3b6
4e4Bb7
5Bd3

ECO: A17

Stockfish: +0.41 at depth 18

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Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Anglo-Indian Defense, Queen's Indian Variation?

The Anglo-Indian Defense, Queen's Indian Variation goes 1. c4 e6 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 b6 4. e4 Bb7 5. Bd3. It is a variation of the English Opening and is catalogued as ECO A17.

What is the ECO code for the Anglo-Indian Defense, Queen's Indian Variation?

The Anglo-Indian Defense, Queen's Indian Variation is ECO A17. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the English Opening.

Is the Anglo-Indian Defense, Queen's Indian Variation good for White?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. c4 e6 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 b6 4. e4 Bb7 5. Bd3 at +0.41 at depth 18, which is a slight pull for White, within normal opening margins. 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.

What kind of position does the Anglo-Indian Defense, Queen's Indian Variation lead to?

White holds the centre with pawns on e4. Development is level at three minor pieces each. It is Black to move.