Queen's Indian Defense: Fianchetto Variation, Nimzowitsch Variation, Quiet Line (E15)

The Fianchetto Variation, Nimzowitsch Variation, Quiet Line is a variation of the Queen's Indian Defense, catalogued as ECO E15. The line runs 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Ba6 5. b3, reaching the position shown below after 9 half-moves.

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

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: Fianchetto Variation, Nimzowitsch Variation, Quiet Line — position after b3 a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
Position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Ba6 5. b3

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1d4Nf6
2c4e6
3Nf3b6
4g3Ba6
5b3

ECO: E15

Stockfish: +0.41 at depth 18

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Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Fianchetto Variation, Nimzowitsch Variation, Quiet Line?

The Fianchetto Variation, Nimzowitsch Variation, Quiet Line goes 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Ba6 5. b3. It is a variation of the Queen's Indian Defense and is catalogued as ECO E15.

What is the ECO code for the Fianchetto Variation, Nimzowitsch Variation, Quiet Line?

The Fianchetto Variation, Nimzowitsch Variation, Quiet Line is ECO E15. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Queen's Indian Defense.

Is the Fianchetto Variation, Nimzowitsch Variation, Quiet Line good for White?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Ba6 5. b3 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 Fianchetto Variation, Nimzowitsch Variation, Quiet Line lead to?

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