Queen's Indian Defense: Petrosian Variation, Farago Defense (E12)

The Petrosian Variation, Farago Defense 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 Ba6 5. Qc2 Bb7, reaching the position shown below after 10 half-moves.

White holds the centre with pawns on d4. Development is level at one minor pieces each. It is White 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: Petrosian Variation, Farago Defense — position after Bb7 h1g2f3e4d5c6b7a8
Position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. a3 Ba6 5. Qc2 Bb7

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1d4Nf6
2c4e6
3Nf3b6
4a3Ba6
5Qc2Bb7

ECO: E12

Stockfish: +0.37 at depth 18

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Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Petrosian Variation, Farago Defense?

The Petrosian Variation, Farago Defense goes 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. a3 Ba6 5. Qc2 Bb7. It is a variation of the Queen's Indian Defense and is catalogued as ECO E12.

What is the ECO code for the Petrosian Variation, Farago Defense?

The Petrosian Variation, Farago Defense is ECO E12. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Queen's Indian Defense.

Is the Petrosian Variation, Farago Defense good for Black?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. a3 Ba6 5. Qc2 Bb7 at +0.37 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 Petrosian Variation, Farago Defense lead to?

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