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 e6 3. e3 b6 4. Bd3 Bb7 5. Nbd2 c5 6. b3 Be7 7. Bb2 d6 8. O-O O-O 9. c4, reaching the position shown below after 17 half-moves.

White holds the centre with pawns on d4, 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 c4 a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
Position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. e3 b6 4. Bd3 Bb7 5. Nbd2 c5 6. b3 Be7 7. Bb2 d6 8. O-O O-O 9. c4

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1d4Nf6
2Nf3e6
3e3b6
4Bd3Bb7
5Nbd2c5
6b3Be7
7Bb2d6
8O-OO-O
9c4

ECO: E14

Stockfish: +0.29 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 e6 3. e3 b6 4. Bd3 Bb7 5. Nbd2 c5 6. b3 Be7 7. Bb2 d6 8. O-O O-O 9. c4. 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 e6 3. e3 b6 4. Bd3 Bb7 5. Nbd2 c5 6. b3 Be7 7. Bb2 d6 8. O-O O-O 9. c4 at +0.29 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 with e3 lead to?

White holds the centre with pawns on d4, 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.