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Queen's Indian Defense: Kasparov Variation

ECO code
E12
Moves
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About this variation

White plays 4. Nc3, allowing the pin with ...Bb4 and transposing to Nimzo-Indian lines. It is a flexible, ambitious choice.

The Kasparov Variation is 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. Nc3. White develops the knight to c3 and allows ...Bb4, which transposes to Nimzo-Indian lines. Black can also play 4...Bb7 or 4...Ba6, keeping the game in Queen's Indian territory.

After 4...Bb4, White usually plays 5. Bg5, pinning the knight on f6, or 5. e3, with Qb3 and Qc2 as ways to avoid doubled pawns. After 4...Bb7, White can play 5. a3, transposing to the Petrosian Variation, or 5. Bg5, pinning the knight and preparing e4.

White's plans include Bg5, e3 and Bd3, developing quickly and preparing e4, and a3 to challenge the bishop on b4. White aims for central control and active piece play.

Black's ideas include ...Bb4 to pin the knight, ...h6 and ...g5 in some lines to break the pin on f6, and ...Ne4 to trade pieces. Black aims for a solid position and control of the light squares.

A common mistake for Black is to allow White to build a big center with e4 without challenge. A common mistake for White is to allow doubled c-pawns without getting enough activity in return.

This line suits White players who know Nimzo-Indian structures and want flexibility. Black players need to know how the Queen's Indian and Nimzo-Indian lines overlap.

One concrete line is 4...Bb4 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 Bb7 7. e3 g5 8. Bg3 Ne4 9. Qc2, when Black has broken the pin and controls e4, while White aims for Bd3 and long-term pressure against Black's loosened kingside.

Another option for Black is 4...Bb7 5. a3 d5, reaching a Queen's Gambit structure in which Black's bishop is already on b7 and White has spent a move on a3. Black can then aim for ...Be7, ...O-O and ...c5, with a solid and active position.

It is one of the main lines of the Queen's Indian Defense.

Queen's Indian Defense: Kasparov Variation statistics

The Queen's Indian Defense: Kasparov Variation was reached in 22,735 master games (0.1% of all master games), and White scored 52% from there. On Lichess it comes up in <0.1% of games, most often among players rated 2201–2400 (<0.1%).

Master games

22,735

0.1% of games between players rated 2500+

Club games on Lichess

39,454

<0.1% of games between players rated up to 2400

White wins Draws Black wins

How often it comes up, by rating

  • 1001–1200 <0.1%
  • 1201–1400 <0.1%
  • 1401–1600 <0.1%
  • 1601–1800 <0.1%
  • 1801–2000 <0.1%
  • 2001–2200 <0.1%
  • 2201–2400 <0.1%

Most common next moves in master games

MoveGamesPlayedResults
4... Bb712,86957%
4... Bb49,37641%
4... Ba63241.4%
4... d51250.5%
4... Be722<0.1%

Famous players with the most games here

  • Chessbrah 54 games
  • Hikaru Nakamura 38 games
  • Daniel Naroditsky 34 games
  • Anna Cramling 32 games
  • Alexandra Botez 30 games
  • Garry Kasparov 25 games

Master games from the Chessmont database (CC BY-SA 4.0). Club games from the Lichess open database.

Other Queen's Indian Defense variations