Queen's Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Traditional Variation, Main Line (E19)

The Classical Variation, Traditional Variation, Main Line is a variation of the Queen's Indian Defense, catalogued as ECO E19. 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 Ne4 8. Qc2 Nxc3 9. Qxc3, reaching the position shown below after 17 half-moves.

White holds the centre with pawns on d4. Development is level at three minor pieces each. It is Black to move after nine 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.

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.

Queen's Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Traditional Variation, Main Line — position after Qxc3 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 Ne4 8. Qc2 Nxc3 9. Qxc3

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1d4Nf6
2c4e6
3Nf3b6
4g3Bb7
5Bg2Be7
6O-OO-O
7Nc3Ne4
8Qc2Nxc3
9Qxc3

ECO: E19

Stockfish: +0.31 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, Main Line?

The Classical Variation, Traditional Variation, Main Line goes 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Bb7 5. Bg2 Be7 6. O-O O-O 7. Nc3 Ne4 8. Qc2 Nxc3 9. Qxc3. It is a variation of the Queen's Indian Defense and is catalogued as ECO E19.

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

The Classical Variation, Traditional Variation, Main Line is ECO E19. 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, Main Line 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 Ne4 8. Qc2 Nxc3 9. Qxc3 at +0.31 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, Main Line 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.