Queen's Indian Accelerated — Definition & Move Order
Queen's Indian Accelerated
Definition
The Queen’s Indian Accelerated is a modern move-order to reach Queen’s Indian–type
positions more quickly and flexibly. Instead of the classical sequence
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6, Black accelerates the queenside fianchetto
with:
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 b6
By playing …b6 on move 2, Black immediately prepares …Bb7 and keeps the central pawn structure undeclared (…e6, …d6 or even …g6 are all still possible). The opening is sometimes listed in databases as the “Accelerated Queen’s Indian,” “Accelerated Fianchetto Defence,” or simply “2…b6.”
Move-Order Outline
- 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 b6 3. Nc3 Bb7 4. Nf3 e6 (main line)
- 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 b6 3. Nf3 Bb7 4. g3 e6 → can transpose to a Catalan-flavoured Queen’s Indian.
- 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 b6 3. Nc3 e6 4. e4 !? (the aggressive Four-Pawn Setup, possible only against the accelerated order).
Because White has not been forced to play 3. Nf3, several extra possibilities arise. Black must therefore be well prepared for sharp sidelines such as 3. Nc3 and 3. Bg5.
Strategic Themes
- Early flexibility. Black postpones …e6, allowing
- …e6 and a classical Queen’s Indian structure,
- …d6 aiming at …e5 or …c5 (King’s Indian/Nimzo-Hybrid), or
- …g6 transposing to the Grünfeld or a double-fianchetto system.
- Pressure on the long diagonal. The bishop on b7 immediately eyes e4 and d5, challenging White’s centre as soon as it advances.
- Central counter-blows. Black often equalises with timely …c5 or …d5. The accelerated move order lets Black choose the best moment.
- Move-order traps. Because the knight has not yet come to c3 or f3 in some lines, typical Queen’s Indian tactics (e.g., …Bb4+ ideas) must be recalculated from scratch.
Historical Notes
The 2…b6 idea appeared sporadically in the 1930s but did not gain real traction until the 1970s, when players such as Ulf Andersson and Ljubomir Ljubojević experimented with it. Tony Miles and later Michael Adams used the system regularly, lending it a solid pedigree in English chess circles. In the 2010s, elite grandmasters like Levon Aronian and Ding Liren revived the line in rapid and blitz events, appreciating its surprise value and strategic richness.
Illustrative Mini-Game
The following short PGN shows typical development and the central break …d5 equalising comfortably:
After 12…Nbd7 Black has harmoniously completed development; the bishops exert long-range pressure while White’s space advantage has evaporated.
Typical Plans for Both Sides
- White
- Seize space with e2–e4 or c4–c5 when safely supported.
- Use the a-pawn (a2–a4–a5) to undermine the queenside light-squared complex (b6, c7, d6).
- Fianchetto the king’s bishop (g2) to neutralise Black’s b7-bishop.
- Black
- Strive for …d5 or …c5 to hit the centre.
- Exploit the b7-bishop on the long diagonal once White commits a pawn to e4.
- Keep the option of …Bb4+ (sometimes …Bb4 pin) depending on whether Nc3 has been played.
Famous Encounters
- Aronian – Carlsen, Wijk aan Zee 2013 (blitz)
Carlsen used 2…b6 as a surprise weapon, neutralised Aronian’s Catalan setup, and won a pawn in a queen ending. - Andersson – Ljubojević, Bugojno 1978
One of the earliest high-level demonstrations; Andersson’s quiet handling showed that White must work to keep the advantage.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- Because 2…b6 avoids …e6, some databases classify it under the ECO code A40 (“Queen’s Pawn: Miscellaneous”) rather than E12–E19 (Queen’s Indian Defence).
- Tony Miles once quipped that playing 2…b6 gives Black “three openings for the price of one”—the Queen’s Indian, the Grünfeld, and the King’s Indian—depending on how he follows up.
- In online blitz, Hikaru Nakamura occasionally adopts the Accelerated Queen’s Indian to sidestep the torrential theory of the Nimzo-Indian after 3. Nc3.
When to Use It
Choose the Queen’s Indian Accelerated when you value flexibility, enjoy fianchetto structures, and wish to avoid the heaviest Nimzo/Queen’s Indian theory while still fighting for the initiative. It is especially practical as a surprise weapon in rapid or league play.