Queen's Indian Defense: with e3 (E14)

The with e3 is a variation of the Queen's Indian Defense, catalogued as ECO E14. The line runs 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. c4 e6 4. e3 b6 5. b3 Bb7 6. Bd3 Nbd7 7. O-O Bd6 8. Bb2 O-O 9. Nbd2, reaching the position shown below after 17 half-moves.

Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4, Black on d5), and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at four 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.

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Queen's Indian Defense: with e3 — position after Nbd2 a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
Position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. c4 e6 4. e3 b6 5. b3 Bb7 6. Bd3 Nbd7 7. O-O Bd6 8. Bb2 O-O 9. Nbd2

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1d4Nf6
2Nf3d5
3c4e6
4e3b6
5b3Bb7
6Bd3Nbd7
7O-OBd6
8Bb2O-O
9Nbd2

ECO: E14

Stockfish: +0.08 at depth 18

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Position characteristics

Related Queen's Indian Defense lines

Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the with e3?

The with e3 goes 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. c4 e6 4. e3 b6 5. b3 Bb7 6. Bd3 Nbd7 7. O-O Bd6 8. Bb2 O-O 9. Nbd2. It is a variation of the Queen's Indian Defense and is catalogued as ECO E14.

What is the ECO code for the with e3?

The with e3 is ECO E14. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Queen's Indian Defense.

Is the with e3 good for White?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. c4 e6 4. e3 b6 5. b3 Bb7 6. Bd3 Nbd7 7. O-O Bd6 8. Bb2 O-O 9. Nbd2 at +0.08 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.

What kind of position does the with e3 lead to?

Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4, Black on d5), and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at four 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.