Queen's Indian Defense: Kasparov-Petrosian Variation, Petrosian Attack

A solid and flexible chess opening, the Queen's Indian Defense: Kasparov-Petrosian Variation, Petrosian Attack offers a rich middlegame with opportunities for both players.

Named after legendary chess players Garry Kasparov and Tigran Petrosian, this opening is a variation of the Queen's Indian Defense, favored by those seeking a solid and flexible setup with Black. The Petrosian Attack is marked by the move 5.a3, aiming to hinder Black's queenside expansion with an early ...Bb4.

In this variation, Black typically fianchettoes their light-squared bishop on b7, pressuring White's central pawn on d4. White's goal is to establish a strong pawn center and develop their pieces harmoniously. This opening often results in a rich middlegame, as Black can counterattack in the center or on the queenside, while White can exploit their space advantage and central control.

A key idea for Black is to play ...d5 at the opportune moment, challenging White's central pawn structure and potentially creating pawn weaknesses for White. Conversely, White must avoid overextending their pawn center, leaving it vulnerable to counterattacks.

Overall, the Kasparov-Petrosian Variation of the Queen's Indian Defense is a reliable choice for Black, striking a balance between solidity and counterattacking potential. Many top-level players, including its namesakes, have employed this opening, and it remains a popular choice at all levels of play.