Bogo-Indian Defense: Wade–Smyslov Variation
Bogo-Indian Defense: Wade–Smyslov Variation
Definition
The Wade–Smyslov Variation is a sub-line of the Bogo-Indian Defense that begins with the moves:
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Bb4+ 4.Bd2 Qe7.
It bears the names of International Master Bob Wade and former World Champion Vasily Smyslov, both of whom refined Black’s early queen move (Qe7) and the optional thrust a7–a5. The system is coded E11 in the ECO classification.
Typical Move Order
- 1. d4 Nf6
- 2. c4 e6
- 3. Nf3 Bb4+ (the hallmark “check” that defines the Bogo-Indian)
- 4. Bd2 Qe7 (Black protects the bishop, supports …e5, and keeps options flexible)
- 5. g3 a5 — when Black combines Smyslov’s 4…Qe7 with Wade’s …a5 idea the line is often called the “Wade–Smyslov” system
Other popular choices on move 5 are 5. Nc3, 5. a3 or 5. Qb3, each of which leads to distinct middlegame structures.
Strategic Ideas for Black
- Multi-purpose queen on e7. The queen supports a later …e6–e5 break, defends the b4-bishop against Bxb4, and over-protects the e6-pawn against an eventual c4-c5 thrust.
- …a7–a5 and queenside clamp. When Black follows up with …a5 he discourages an expansion with b2–b4 and sometimes prepares …a5–a4 to fix White’s pawn structure.
- Prophylaxis against e2–e4. By occupying e7 the queen interferes with White’s plan of Re1 followed by e2–e4 in a single stroke, buying Black extra tempi.
- Flexible dark-square play. Black can choose between …d6 with a King’s-Indian flavour, …c5 striking in the centre, or the solid …b6 and …Bb7.
Strategic Ideas for White
- Fianchetto pressure. In the main line 5.g3 White develops the bishop to g2 aiming at the long diagonal and eventual central breaks with e2–e4 or d4–d5.
- Space advantage. White often gains space on the queenside with a2–a3, b2–b4 and c4–c5 if the position permits.
- Minor-piece initiative. Because Black’s dark-squared bishop can become misplaced, White tries to exchange it with Bxb4, doubling Black’s pawns or leaving him with a “bad” bishop.
- Central tension. Delaying e2–e4 keeps Black guessing; if Black commits to …d6, the rupture d4–d5 can squeeze the position.
Historical Background
• Bob Wade (1921-2008), a New Zealand-born British
International Master and noted opening theoretician, pioneered the early
…a7–a5 plan in the late 1940s. He used it as a surprise weapon against
higher-rated grandmasters who were more accustomed to the older lines with
…Be7 or …c5.
• Vasily Smyslov (World Champion 1957-58) adopted 4…Qe7 in
elite practice during the 1950s. His subtle, prophylactic style perfectly
matched the variation’s fluid piece placement.
• When modern theory merged Wade’s …a5 and Smyslov’s …Qe7 setups, the
hybrid took both names. The line enjoyed a renaissance in the 1980s-90s
thanks to players like John Nunn, Boris Gelfand and Peter Svidler.
Illustrative Game
Smyslov demonstrates the power of the flexible pawn structure.
Typical Plans & Tactical Motifs
- Minor-piece “holding pin.” After 4…Qe7 Black’s bishop on b4 is tactically protected: 5.Bxb4? Qxb4+ wins a pawn.
- Exchange sacrifice on d4. In some lines Black plays …e6–e5 followed by …exd4 and …Re8, targeting an isolated pawn on d4 at the cost of the exchange.
- Queenside majority races. When White achieves c4-c5 and b2-b4-b5, both sides may launch pawn storms on opposite wings—the …f7-f5 lever for Black versus White’s passed a- or b-pawn.
- Central fork tricks. Because the queen is on e7, moves like …e5-e4 can fork a knight on f3 and a bishop on d3 or g2 if White is careless.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- Bob Wade famously annotated dozens of his Bogo-Indian games by hand in notebooks he carried to tournaments; these notes later became a primary source for early ECO volumes.
- Smyslov’s fondness for the variation was rooted in a childhood anecdote: he lost a miniature against a local master who used an early …Qe7. Smyslov vowed to “tame” the line and turned it into one of his most reliable black weapons.
- Because the queen blocks Black’s own dark-squared bishop, grandmasters sometimes joke that 4…Qe7 is “playing with one eye closed”—yet the move remains theoretically sound.
- The system has been used successfully in computer chess as well; engines appreciate the solidity and flexible pawn breaks available to Black.