Queen's Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Taimanov Gambit (E17)

The Classical Variation, Taimanov Gambit is a variation of the Queen's Indian Defense, catalogued as ECO E17. The line runs 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Bb7 5. Bg2 Be7 6. O-O O-O 7. d5 exd5 8. Nd4, reaching the position shown below after 15 half-moves.

Black holds the centre with pawns on d5, and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at two minor pieces each, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move after eight moves. Both kings have castled kingside, so play tends to shift to the centre and the opposite flank; Black has doubled pawns on the d-file.

On the Queen's Indian Defense generally: A flexible defense to 1.d4 where Black fianchettoes the queen's bishop to control e4.

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Queen's Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Taimanov Gambit — position after Nd4 a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
Position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Bb7 5. Bg2 Be7 6. O-O O-O 7. d5 exd5 8. Nd4

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1d4Nf6
2c4e6
3Nf3b6
4g3Bb7
5Bg2Be7
6O-OO-O
7d5exd5
8Nd4

ECO: E17

Stockfish: +0.12 at depth 18

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Position characteristics

Related Queen's Indian Defense lines

Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Classical Variation, Taimanov Gambit?

The Classical Variation, Taimanov Gambit goes 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Bb7 5. Bg2 Be7 6. O-O O-O 7. d5 exd5 8. Nd4. It is a variation of the Queen's Indian Defense and is catalogued as ECO E17.

What is the ECO code for the Classical Variation, Taimanov Gambit?

The Classical Variation, Taimanov Gambit is ECO E17. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Queen's Indian Defense.

Is the Classical Variation, Taimanov Gambit good for White?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Bb7 5. Bg2 Be7 6. O-O O-O 7. d5 exd5 8. Nd4 at +0.12 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.

What kind of position does the Classical Variation, Taimanov Gambit lead to?

Black holds the centre with pawns on d5, and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at two minor pieces each, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move. Both kings have castled kingside, so play tends to shift to the centre and the opposite flank; Black has doubled pawns on the d-file.