Queen's Indian Defense: Fianchetto Variation, Nimzowitsch Variation, Nimzowitsch Attack

A flexible and solid chess opening for Black that aims to control the center and counter White's pawn advances.

The opening is a popular and flexible choice for Black, aiming to control the center and counter White's pawn advances. In this variation, Black adopts a hypermodern approach, allowing White to establish a pawn center while preparing to undermine it with pieces. Black's light-squared bishop is fianchettoed on a6, targeting the c4 pawn and potentially exchanging it to weaken White's pawn structure.

White's queen move to a4 is an aggressive attempt to put pressure on Black's queenside and discourage the development of Black's knight to c6. This variation is named after the famous chess player and theoretician Aron Nimzowitsch, who contributed significantly to the development of hypermodern chess openings.

The opening can lead to various pawn structures and middlegame plans, depending on how both players choose to proceed. Black often aims for a solid and compact position, while White tries to exploit the space advantage and create threats on the queenside. Proper understanding of the typical plans and ideas for both sides is essential for playing this opening effectively.

Overall, this opening is a reliable and strategically rich choice for Black, offering chances for counterplay and a solid foundation for the middlegame.