ECO E12 · Queen's Indian Defense

Queen's Indian Defense

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6

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White to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

4. g3+0.39

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Queen's Indian Defense (E12), reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6, Stockfish 18 recommends 4. g3 for White. White is slightly better (+0.39).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.394. g3 Bb4+ 5. Bd2 a5 6. Bg2 O-O 7. a3 Be7 8. Nc3 d5
  2. +0.254. a3 Bb7 5. Bf4 Be7 6. Nc3 Nh5 7. Bc1 d5 8. cxd5 exd5
  3. +0.244. Bf4 Bb7 5. a3 Be7 6. Nc3 Nh5 7. Bg3 d6 8. e3 Nxg3

All Queen's Indian Defense variations (47)

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Queen's Indian Defense?
After 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4. g3 for White, continuing Bb4+ 5. Bd2 a5 6. Bg2 O-O 7. a3 Be7 8. Nc3 d5. White is slightly better (+0.39). The next best moves are 4. a3 (+0.25) and 4. Bf4 (+0.24).
Is the Queen's Indian Defense a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.39: white is slightly better. Evaluations this early in the game are small, so practical results depend far more on knowing the plans and typical structures than on the engine's number.
What is the ECO code of the Queen's Indian Defense?
E12. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; E is the volume for indian defenses.

Opening names from the Lichess opening book (CC0). Pieces by Colin M.L. Burnett (GPLv2+).