Chessy
English Opening: Anglo-Indian Defense, Queen's Indian Formation
This setup asks you to meet White’s English move order with a solid Queen’s Indian-style structure. The position is already a little uncomfortable for Black: Stockfish gives +0.37, which favours White. That does not mean you are lost, but it does mean you need to know your plan and the engine’s most accurate reply. Use the drill to practise the position after 1.c4 e6 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Nf3 b6 and learn how to handle White’s main choices.
Play the English Opening: Anglo-Indian Defense, Queen's Indian Formation against the engine
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Play the drill and practise this position until the plans feel natural. Create a free account to track your progress and review the line again later.
Create a free account →What White is trying to do
After this move order, White has several natural ways to steer the game, and the database shows that White does not stick to just one plan. The most-played continuations are g3, d4, e3, e4, d3, and a3. That tells you your opponent can choose between a kingside fianchetto, a central expansion, or a quieter setup. As Black, your first job is to stay flexible and not let White dictate the whole game without a fight.
The engine’s main idea
The engine’s best move here is e4, and the continuation given is e4 Bb7 Bd3 c5. That is a useful clue for your training: Black is not just waiting passively, but is ready to challenge the centre and develop the bishop actively. In this kind of position, piece activity matters a lot. If White grabs space, you need to answer with active development and timely pressure rather than drifting into a cramped setup.
What the database says
The numbers suggest a slightly better situation for White, but not a crushing one. Across 26,212 games at this exact position, White wins 50.0%, draws 4.3%, and Black wins 45.7%. That is a real practical fight, not a forced loss. Your goal in the drill is to learn where Black’s play is sound, where White’s main plans start, and how to avoid drifting into the wrong kind of middlegame.
Most common White choices
White’s most popular continuation is g3, with 10,812 games and a White score of 51.7%. The next biggest try is d4, with 6,235 games and a White score of 47.6%. Then come e3 with 3,495 games and a White score of 48.6%, e4 with 3,239 games and a White score of 50.8%, d3 with 1,282 games and a White score of 47.3%, and a3 with 506 games and a White score of 50.4%. These numbers show that White has several credible plans, so you should be ready to react to more than one structure.
Results across 26,212 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| g3 | 10,812 | 51.7% |
| d4 | 6,235 | 47.6% |
| e3 | 3,495 | 48.6% |
| e4 | 3,239 | 50.8% |
| d3 | 1,282 | 47.3% |
| a3 | 506 | 50.4% |
Frequently asked questions
What opening is this after 1.c4 e6 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Nf3 b6?
This is the English Opening: Anglo-Indian Defense, Queen's Indian Formation. The position comes from a flexible move order, and Black is aiming for a Queen’s Indian-style setup while White chooses the next plan.
Is this position good for Black?
Stockfish gives +0.37, which favours White. That means you are a little worse here, but the game is still very playable and the database shows Black scores 45.7% in this position.
What is the best move for Black here?
The engine’s best move is e4. The suggested continuation is e4 Bb7 Bd3 c5, which shows Black looking for active piece play and central counterplay.
What should I expect White to play most often?
The most-played continuations are g3, d4, e3, e4, d3, and a3. The single most common is g3, so you should be especially ready for a fianchetto setup.
How many games feature the English Opening: Anglo-Indian Defense, Queen's Indian Formation?
Over 26K Lichess games have reached the English Opening: Anglo-Indian Defense, Queen's Indian Formation position. White wins 50.0%, Black wins 45.7%, with 4.3% draws — based on real rated games.