Theoria
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Queen's Indian Defense

Euwe Variation

E17positionalsolidoffbeat

  1. 1.d4Nf6
  2. 2.c4e6
  3. 3.Nf3b6
  4. 4.g3Bb7
  5. 5.Bg2Be7
  6. 6.O-OO-O
  7. 7.b3
158 games53%40%

Queen's Indian Fianchetto line in which White plays 7. b3 instead of 7. Nc3, a quiet, flexible setup that keeps the c4-pawn protected.

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About the Euwe Variation

The Euwe Variation departs from the classical Fianchetto line of the Queen's Indian Defense with 7. b3 in place of 7. Nc3. White protects c4 and prepares to develop the dark-squared bishop on the long diagonal. Holding back the queen's knight sidesteps the knight trade on c3 that follows ...Ne4 in the older line. Black most often answers with 7...d5, while 7...c5 and the more reserved 7...d6 are also common. White has scored heavily against 7...c5. The engine rates the position as roughly balanced, and the line is seldom played.

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