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Guided lesson · Intermediate · Openings

Queen’s Indian: fianchetto or a3

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Text

After ...b6 and ...Bb7, Black’s bishop helps control e4. As White, you can use your own fianchetto or play a3 to prevent ...Bb4 before Nc3. These are different move orders: a3 costs a tempo and needs a concrete purpose on b4. Notice when White develops the bishop before advancing the e2-pawn.

The key idea

With g3 you develop through g2; with a3 you prevent ...Bb4 and prepare Nc3 without that pin.

Example 1 · White’s fianchetto

Complete the fianchetto: the f3-knight still blocks the long diagonal; prepare to open it.

  1. Bg2 Complete the fianchetto: the f3-knight still blocks the long diagonal; prepare to open it.
  2. Bb4+ The check forces a queenside development decision.
  3. Bd2 Interpose the bishop, keeping the knight available for c3.
  4. Bxd2+ Black exchanges with check; a recapture must come next.

Example 2 · a3 before Nc3

Develop Nc3; a3 already prevents ...Bb4.

  1. Nc3 Develop Nc3; a3 already prevents ...Bb4.
  2. d5 ...d5 occupies the centre and reinforces e4.
  3. Bf4 Develop the bishop before closing its diagonal with e3.
  4. dxc4 ...dxc4 resolves the tension; recovering c4 is the next task.

Practice

You play White. Practice two decisions from this line: White’s fianchetto.

  1. Complete the fianchetto: the f3-knight still blocks the long diagonal; prepare to open it. Nc3 is also good; after it, ...Bb4 would pin the knight without giving check. Here develop the bishop with Bg2.
  2. You block the check by developing a piece and retain the option of castling. There are several sound continuations: Bd2, Nbd2. Choose one and check what remains to be developed.

Before playing a3 elsewhere, check whether preventing the bishop check is worth the tempo.