Queen's Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Traditional Variation (E18)

The Classical Variation, Traditional Variation is a variation of the Queen's Indian Defense, catalogued as ECO E18. The line runs 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Bb7 5. Bg2 Be7 6. O-O O-O 7. Nc3, reaching the position shown below after 13 half-moves.

White holds the centre with pawns on d4. Development is level at three minor pieces each. It is Black to move after seven moves. Both kings have castled kingside, so play tends to shift to the centre and the opposite flank.

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, Traditional Variation — position after Nc3 a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
Position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Bb7 5. Bg2 Be7 6. O-O O-O 7. Nc3

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1d4Nf6
2c4e6
3Nf3b6
4g3Bb7
5Bg2Be7
6O-OO-O
7Nc3

ECO: E18

Stockfish: +0.40 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, Traditional Variation?

The Classical Variation, Traditional Variation goes 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Bb7 5. Bg2 Be7 6. O-O O-O 7. Nc3. It is a variation of the Queen's Indian Defense and is catalogued as ECO E18.

What is the ECO code for the Classical Variation, Traditional Variation?

The Classical Variation, Traditional Variation is ECO E18. 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, Traditional Variation 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. Nc3 at +0.40 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 Classical Variation, Traditional Variation lead to?

White holds the centre with pawns on d4. Development is level at three minor pieces each. It is Black to move. Both kings have castled kingside, so play tends to shift to the centre and the opposite flank.