King's Indian: Queenswap 5.nf3 O-O 6.h3 e5
King's Indian: 5.Nf3 O-O 6.h3 e5 “Queenswap”
Definition
The term “Queenswap” is an informal nickname for a quiet line in the King’s Indian Defense that arises after the moves 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 O-O 6.h3 e5. White continues 7.dxe5 dxe5 8.Qxd8 Rxd8, trading queens at the earliest legal opportunity. The position is derived from the Makagonov–Petrosian system (characterised by the move h3) but diverges by eliminating the queen-side tension typical of most King’s Indian main lines.
Typical Move Order
The standard sequence is:
- 1. d4 Nf6
- 2. c4 g6
- 3. Nc3 Bg7
- 4. e4 d6
- 5. Nf3 O-O
- 6. h3 e5
- 7. dxe5 dxe5
- 8. Qxd8 Rxd8
After 8…Rxd8 the queens are gone, the material is equal, and both sides face a queen-less middlegame where pawn-structure nuance outweighs tactical fireworks.
Strategic Themes
- Reduced King-side danger for White: With queens off, Black’s traditional King’s Indian attacking plans (…f7-f5, …g6-g5, …h7-h5) lose much of their sting.
- Central Grip vs. Dark-Squared Bishop: White keeps space with pawns on d4 and e4, while Black’s fianchettoed bishop eyes the c3–h8 diagonal, hoping to pressure d4.
- Piece Manoeuvring: Play often revolves around outposts on d5 (for White) and d4 (for Black), with knights rerouting via d2-f1-e3 or f6-d7-c5.
- Endgame Orientation: Because a major piece is already gone, both sides weigh minor-piece trades carefully; White usually welcomes further simplification, relying on his spatial edge.
Usage & Practical Considerations
Players who like the structural ideas of the King’s Indian but dislike the razor-sharp attacks may “force” this queen trade to enter a calmer, maneuvering battle. Conversely, dynamic King’s Indian specialists may avoid the line with an early …Nbd7 or …c5 to keep queens on.
The variation is popular in rapid and classical play as a surprise weapon because many King’s Indian players spend most of their preparation on the tense main lines with queens still on the board.
Example Game
Sanan Sjugirov – Teimour Radjabov, FIDE Grand Prix, Baku 2014
[[Pgn| d4|Nf6|c4|g6|Nc3|Bg7|e4|d6|Nf3|O-O|h3|e5|dxe5|dxe5|Qxd8|Rxd8|Be3|Nc6|Nd5|Ne8|O-O-O| ]]Radjabov, a noted King’s Indian expert, was unable to generate the typical black attacking chances and the game quickly simplified into a minor-piece ending that Sjugirov held comfortably.
Historical & Theoretical Notes
- ECO Codes: Falls under E90–E91 but sometimes cross-files into E94 (Makagonov) because of the h3 move.
- Petrosian Roots: The original idea of h3 followed by dxe5 comes from Tigran Petrosian, who preferred prophylaxis and piece maneuvers over direct confrontation.
- Computer Age Revival: Modern engines value the “Queenswap” line positively for White, causing a small resurgence at elite level; it featured in Carlsen–Nakamura, Paris Rapid 2019.
Interesting Facts
- Because both sides castle early and the queens disappear by move eight, blunders that lead to mating attacks are almost impossible— a rarity in King’s Indian theory.
- Vladimir Kramnik—who rarely allows sharp King’s Indian attacks—used this exact sequence against Radjabov in Zürich 2014, scoring a quick draw and sparking renewed debate about whether Black should seek more double-edged territory.
- Some databases label the variation simply as “6.h3 Makagonov, line with 7.dxe5”, but club players coined the catchier nickname “Queenswap” to remember the early queen trade.
When to Choose the Queenswap
Opt for this line if you:
- Enjoy long maneuvering battles with minimal risk.
- Wish to sidestep huge theoretical main lines such as the Bayonet Attack (9.b4) or the Classical Mar del Plata (7…Nc6 8.d5 Ne7).
- Have a repertoire based on quiet endgames and positional squeeze themes.
Key Takeaways
- White defuses Black’s king-side ambitions by removing queens.
- Spatial advantage versus bishop activity is the central imbalance.
- Both sides should prepare for a queen-less middlegame that often transitions smoothly into an endgame where pawn breaks (c5, f5 for Black; c5, d5 for White) decide the struggle.