The Kasparov-Petrosian Variation, Modern Variation is a variation of the Queen's Indian Defense, catalogued as ECO E12. The line runs 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. a3 Bb7 5. Nc3 d5 6. cxd5 Nxd5, reaching the position shown below after 12 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on d4. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is White to move after six moves.
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.
See all 59 Queen's Indian Defense variations →
The Kasparov-Petrosian Variation, Modern Variation goes 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. a3 Bb7 5. Nc3 d5 6. cxd5 Nxd5. It is a variation of the Queen's Indian Defense and is catalogued as ECO E12.
The Kasparov-Petrosian Variation, Modern Variation is ECO E12. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Queen's Indian Defense.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. a3 Bb7 5. Nc3 d5 6. cxd5 Nxd5 at +0.14 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.
White holds the centre with pawns on d4. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is White to move.