Queen's Indian Defense

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6

The Queen's Indian Defense is a refined and strategically sound chess opening that begins with the moves 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6. This opening aims to control the center of the board with pieces rather than pawns, allowing Black to develop a solid and flexible position while avoiding early confrontations. Named after the Indian-born Grandmaster Sultan Khan, the Queen's Indian Defense often leads to rich and balanced middlegame positions, emphasizing maneuvering and strategic play over immediate tactical skirmishes. It has been a popular choice among world champions like Anatoly Karpov and Vladimir Kramnik, known for its deep strategic concepts and versatility in handling various setups by White.