Queen's Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Traditional Variation

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6 4.g3 Bb7 5.Bg2 Be7 6.O-O O-O 7.Nc3

ECO E18

The Queen's Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Traditional Variation is a chess opening line in the Queen's Indian Defense complex, reached after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6 4.g3 Bb7 5.Bg2 Be7 6.O-O O-O 7.Nc3.

It is catalogued under code E18 in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings (ECO).

The defining move Nc3 is chosen by White on move 7.

2 named continuations branch from this position, including the Nimzowitsch Line and the Main Line.

Named variations

• Queen's Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Traditional Variation, Nimzowitsch Line — ECO E18
• Queen's Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Traditional Variation, Main Line — ECO E19

Study this line with a grandmaster

This position is covered in the Bogo-Indian Defense course: a GM-authored repertoire you study move by move, then practice against a human-like AI opponent.

Every chess term used here is defined in the chess terms glossary. Browse all opening courses or the full ECO code index.