Queen's Indian: Petrosian, 5.Nc3 d5 6.Bg5 Be7
Queen’s Indian: Petrosian, 5.Nc3 d5 6.Bg5 Be7
Definition
The Petrosian System of the Queen’s Indian Defense arises after the moves
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Bb7 5. Nc3 d5 6. Bg5 Be7.
Named after the ninth World Champion Tigran Petrosian, this variation combines the fianchetto set-up of the Queen’s Indian with early central tension and the pinning move 6.Bg5, aiming to control the dark squares and challenge Black’s planned …c5 break.
Move Order & Key Position
The critical tabiya (main starting position) is reached after 6…Be7:
- White to move on move 7. Typical continuations include 7.cxd5, 7.Bg2, or 7.Qa4+.
- Note how Bg5 pins the f6-knight, making …c5 less convenient because d5 becomes loose.
Strategic Ideas
- For White
- Pressure on d5 via the Bg5 pin, often combining with Qa4+ or Rc1.
- Flexible pawn breaks: e2–e4 to seize space, or c4xd5 to open the c-file.
- Endgame ambitions: trading dark-squared bishops can leave Black’s queenside pawns weak.
- For Black
- Timely …h6 and …Ne4 to neutralize the pin and gain the pair of bishops.
- Central counterplay: …c5 is still the thematic Queen’s Indian break, sometimes prepared by …Nbd7 and …Re8.
- Queenside pressure along the long diagonal after …Bb7 and …dxc4 ideas.
Historical Background
Tigran Petrosian employed this set-up repeatedly in the 1960s to good effect, most famously against Boris Spassky in their 1966 World Championship match. The line was attractive to Petrosian because it embodied his positional style: restriction first, activity later.
Over the decades the variation has been adopted by grandmasters such as Ulf Andersson, Michael Adams, and more recently Levon Aronian, who value its solid yet dynamic character.
Example Games
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Petrosian – Spassky, Moscow 1966 (WCh match, game 10)
Petrosian exchanged on d5 early, reached a minor-piece endgame, and showcased his legendary prophylaxis and endgame technique to grind down Spassky in 67 moves.
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Aronian – Anand, Wijk aan Zee 2013
Aronian sacrificed a pawn for central domination and handed Anand one of his rare defeats in this line, illustrating that 6.Bg5 can lead to unbalanced, dynamic play.
Typical Middlegame Themes
- Minor-piece tension: The knight on f6, bishop on g5, and potential …Ne4 jump create a rich tactical minefield.
- Dark-square control: If Black trades his dark-squared bishop on g5, the dark squares (c6, e5, g7) can become weak.
- Pawn breaks: e2–e4 by White and …c5 by Black often decide the battle for the center.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- The first recorded use of 6.Bg5 in the Queen’s Indian was by Georg Rotlewi in 1911, but it was Petrosian who systematized it.
- Because Petrosian loved prophylaxis, Soviet analysts jokingly called the pin on 6.Bg5 “the invisible hand” – you only feel its grip when …c5 becomes impossible.
- Modern engines still consider the line fully viable for both sides; at depth 40+, Stockfish oscillates between 0.00 and +0.20, a testament to its strategic balance.
Practical Tips
- White: If Black plays …Ne4 too early, meet it with Bxe7 Qxe7 Qa4+, regaining the tempo and keeping pressure.
- Black: Don’t delay …h6 forever; allowing Bg5xf6 followed by cxd5 can leave you with a passive light-squared bishop.
Conclusion
The Petrosian System with 5.Nc3 d5 6.Bg5 Be7 offers a sophisticated blend of solidity and latent dynamism. It remains a reliable weapon at every level—from club play to elite super-tournaments—rewarding players who relish strategic maneuvering and nuanced positional battles.