Queen's Indian Defense: Yates Variation

Queen's Indian Defense: Yates Variation

Definition

The Yates Variation of the Queen’s Indian Defense is reached after the moves 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. Bg5. Instead of the more common 4. g3 or 4. Nc3, White immediately pins the f6-knight, hoping to slow Black’s normal …Bb7 and …d5 counterplay and to prepare an expansion in the center with e2–e4. The line is named after the English master Frederick Dewhurst Yates (1884-1932), who employed the setup several times in the 1920s.

Typical Move Order

One of the most frequently seen continuations is:

• 1. d4 Nf6
• 2. c4 e6
• 3. Nf3 b6
• 4. Bg5 Bb7
• 5. e3 h6
• 6. Bh4 Be7
• 7. Nc3 O-O
• 8. Bd3 d5

Strategic Ideas

• For White
  • Pinning the knight on f6 discourages Black from an early …d5 because the cxd5 exd5 Bg5xf6 idea can leave the e-pawn under pressure.
  • White often follows up with e2–e3, Nc3, Bd3, and possibly a quick e3–e4 grab of space in the center.
  • After Bg5–h4, the bishop may even tuck back to g3 or f4, keeping an eye on the important d6 and e5 squares.
• For Black
  • Black’s most solid plan is …Bb7, …Be7, …d5, and …Nbd7, aiming for a solid Queen’s-Indian-meets-Queen’s-Gambit structure.
  • An alternative is the sharper 4…h6 5. Bh4 g5!? 6. Bg3 Ne4, rapidly challenging the bishop and trying to seize the initiative on the kingside.
  • Timing of …c5 can be critical: playing it too early may expose Black’s d-pawn; playing it too late concedes central space.

Historical & Theoretical Significance

Although never the main tabiya, the Yates Variation has been a useful surprise weapon for both strong grandmasters and club players because it sidesteps the massive Queen’s-Indian theory in the 4. g3 lines. Its ideas overlap with themes from the Torre Attack and the Trompowsky, making it attractive to players who like early pins on f6.

Model Games

1. Yates – Alekhine, Scarborough 1921
   

   Yates held the future World Champion to a draw, showcasing the viability of the line even against top opposition a century ago.

2. Karpov – Larsen, USSR vs. Rest of the World, 1971
   

   Karpov calmly built up with e3, Be2, and O-O before pushing e4, slowly squeezing Larsen in trademark positional style and highlighting the line’s strategic bite.

3. Inarkiev – Giri, European Team Ch. 2015
   

   A modern elite example in which Giri chose the dynamic 4…h6 5. Bh4 g5 and obtained active play, illustrating how theory has evolved.

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

• The variation’s inventor, F. D. Yates, was also a chess journalist and famously annotated his own losses with honest self-criticism.
• Because it often transposes to familiar Queen’s Gambit structures, some databases classify it under both A17 (QID) and D06 (Queen’s Pawn Game).
• Magnus Carlsen tried the Yates idea from a different move order (1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 Nf6 3. c4 e6 4. Bg5) against Anand in 2013 training games, prompting renewed engine interest in the line.

Typical Plans Summary

• White aims to:
  • Maintain the Bg5 pin and prepare e2–e4.
  • Exchange on f6 at a favorable moment to double Black’s pawns or weaken dark squares.
  • Use a minority attack (a2–a4–a5) on the queenside if the center locks.
• Black aims to:
  • Break the pin with …h6 or …Be7 and equalize in the center via …d5.
  • Exploit the bishop’s outing by early …c5 strikes when tactically justified.
  • Seek counterplay on the kingside after …g5 in the more combative lines.

Why Choose (or Avoid) the Yates Variation?

Choose it if you enjoy strategic battles with clear pawn-structure plans, dislike heavy Queen’s-Indian theory, or want to surprise a booked-up opponent. Avoid it if you prefer immediate tactical fireworks or if you are uncomfortable playing against the …h6 …g5 systems, which can become sharp very quickly.