Queens Indian Defense Fianchetto Polugaevsky Gambit

Queen's Indian Defense

Definition

The Queen's Indian Defense is a hyper-modern opening that arises after the moves 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6. Black immediately prepares to fianchetto the queen’s bishop to b7 instead of occupying the center with pawns, aiming to control central light squares (e4, d5) from a distance. ECO codes for the opening run from E12 to E19.

Typical Move-Order and Ideas

1. 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Bb7
   White opts for a Catalan-style fianchetto, one of the main lines.
2. 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. Nc3 Bb7 5. a3
   The Petrosian System, preventing …Bb4 pinning the knight.

Strategic Significance

• Hyper-modern philosophy: control the center with pieces, not pawns.
• Piece play: The c8 bishop usually remains inside the pawn chain (unlike in the Nimzo-Indian), so Black relies on active knight manœuvres and timely …d5 or …c5 breaks.
• Flexibility: Black can transpose to Bogo-Indian (…Bb4+) or even the Modern Benoni if White plays e2-e4 prematurely.

Historic Highlights

Popularised by Aron Nimzowitsch and Savielly Tartakower in the 1920s, the Queen's Indian became a workhorse for elite players such as Tigran Petrosian, Anatoly Karpov, and Vishy Anand. Karpov’s world-title defenses (1984–85) featured the opening in nearly every d4 game against Garry Kasparov.

Illustrative Game

Kasparov – Karpov, World Championship (Game 16), Moscow 1985

Kasparov’s novelty 8. b3 led to a strategic endgame edge, but Karpov saved the game after 63 moves.

Interesting Facts

• The opening is so solid that computers often choose it in “random opening” tests when allowed a single Indian Defense.
• In 2021, AlphaZero produced a fresh pawn sacrifice with …c5!? that revived interest in rare E17 lines.

Fianchetto

Definition

A fianchetto (Italian for “little flank”) is a development scheme where a bishop is placed on the long diagonal after the adjacent knight’s pawn has advanced one square. Typical examples: g2–Bg2 for White or b7–Bb7 for Black.

How It Is Used

• King-side fianchetto: 1. g3 followed by Bg2 (King’s Indian Attack, Catalan, English Opening).
• Queen-side fianchetto: …b6 and …Bb7 in the Queen’s Indian or …b6–Bb7 in the English Defence.
• Double fianchetto: Both bishops are fianchettoed, as in certain Neo-Catalan setups.

Strategic Significance

The fianchettoed bishop controls long diagonals, supports pawn breaks, and often safeguards the king when castled behind a “pawn umbrella” (e.g., g2-g3, Kg1). Its main drawbacks are time expenditure and weakened dark- or light-square complexes once the bishop is exchanged.

Historical Anecdote

The earliest recorded fianchetto dates back to Gioachino Greco (17th century). In modern times, Bobby Fischer famously employed a double fianchetto to defeat Tigran Petrosian (Buenos Aires 1970).

Example Position

After 1. c4 g6 2. g3 Bg7 3. Bg2 Nf6 4. Nc3 O-O the board shows mirror-image fianchettos: both dark-squared bishops eye the long diagonal a1–h8/h1–a8.

Interesting Facts

• In blitz, the move 1…g6 is sometimes nicknamed the “Harry the h-pawn insurance policy,” because the fianchettoed bishop can later protect an advancing h-file pawn storm.
• Most engines evaluate an unchallenged fianchettoed bishop as worth roughly +0.15 pawns in closed positions.

Classical (in Chess Openings)

Definition

The label Classical denotes an opening line that follows long-established, orthodox principles: rapid central occupation with pawns, natural piece development, and early castling. It often contrasts with “Hyper-modern” or “Modern” systems that control the center from afar.

Where You’ll Encounter the Term

• King’s Indian Defense – Classical Variation: 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 e5 (White plays Nf3 and Be2 instead of the hyper-sharp 6. f3).
• French Defense – Classical: 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6.
• Pirc Defense – Classical (Two-Knights): 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. Nf3.

Strategic Hallmarks

Classical systems usually involve:

1. Pawns on e4/d4 or e5/d5 asserting direct central control.
2. Pieces occupying their most harmonious “textbook” squares (Knights on f3/c3 or f6/c6; bishops on c4/e2 or c5/e7).
3. Castling by move 8–10 to connect rooks.

Historical Significance

During the 19th century, the “Classical School” (Steinitz, Tarrasch) codified these principles. Hyper-modern thinkers (Réti, Nimzowitsch) later challenged them, but many Classical variations remain mainline theory due to their sound structural bases.

Illustrative Game

Karpov – Kasparov, World Championship, Moscow 1984 (Game 9)
Classical King’s Indian with 7…Na6, showing restrained center play before Black’s thematic …f7-f5 break.

Interesting Tidbits

• The term is flexible: in the Philidor Defense, the move 3…Nf6 is called the “Hanham” variation, whereas 3…exd4 is dubbed “Classical.”
• Anatoly Karpov’s repertoire epitomised the Classical philosophy: solid pawn centers, minimal weaknesses, and end-game mastery.

Polugaevsky Gambit

Definition

The Polugaevsky Gambit is a sharp branch of the Najdorf Sicilian, characterised by 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 and now 7…b5!?, the gambit move first popularised by Soviet grandmaster Lev Polugaevsky in the late 1960s. Black offers the b-pawn to accelerate counterplay on the queenside and challenge White’s centre.

Main Line

1. 8. e5 dxe5 9. fxe5 Qc7 10. exf6 Qe5+

Black sacrifices a second pawn but obtains rapid development, an open e-file, and pressure on c3. The line often transposes into complex middlegames where both kings remain in the centre.

Strategic Themes

• Dynamic Imbalance: Material deficit vs. lead in development and attacking chances.
• Piece Activity: The light-squared bishop typically lands on b7 after …Bb7, eyeing e4.
• King Safety: Both sides delay castling; accuracy is critical to avoid tactical shots on the e-file and dark squares.

Historic Game

Polugaevsky – Tal, USSR Championship 1969

In this famous duel, Mikhail Tal steered Black to victory, showcasing the gambit’s tactical richness.

Theory Status

While still playable, modern engines suggest that exact White play (notably 10. Qe2) can neutralise Black’s initiative. Nevertheless, it remains a powerful surprise weapon in rapid and blitz.

Interesting Facts

• Polugaevsky used the gambit in three Candidates’ matches, scoring +4 =2 -0 with Black in the critical line before computers dented its reputation.
• Many commentators refer to 7…b5 as the “Polu-” variation because no one wants to spell the full surname during live broadcasts!