Miles Variation

The Miles Variation, 4. Bf4, is sometimes treated as a London System approach against the Queen's Indian. It develops the dark-squared bishop outside the pawn chain before e2-e3, where it bears on c7, and keeps Bd3 and a later kingside pawn advance in reserve. Black usually answers 4...Bb7, and 4...Bb4+ is the main alternative. Its originator had some success with it, but it has never become popular. The engine rates the position as balanced, and results are close to even.