English Opening: Anglo-Indian Defense, Queen's Knight Variation
The Queen's Knight Variation is 2.Nc3 after 1.c4 Nf6, preparing e4 with a threat to push e5 and chase the f6 knight. Black must use the move to set up in the center with ...e5, ...e6, ...c5, ...d5 or ...g6.
- Moves
- 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3
- ECO
- A16
- Engine
- +0.11 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 4,099 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 52.6%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- Nc3 prepares e4. If Black ignores it, e4 and e5 drive the knight off f6.
- Against ...e5, a fianchetto with g3 and Bg2 gives a reversed Sicilian with an extra tempo.
- Against ...c5, the engine plays Nf3, cxd5 and e4, then Bb5+ with tempo after ...Nb4.
- Against ...d5, take on d5 and push e4 to gain time and the center.
Black
- ...e5 is the engine's top reply, leading to King's English positions.
- ...e6 prepares ...d5 or ...Bb4 and is the most common choice in our sample.
- ...c5 gives a symmetrical English and keeps ...d5 in reserve.
- ...d5 is the Anglo-Grünfeld; be ready for cxd5 and e4.
Plans and pawn structure
Nc3 makes e4 a real threat, so Black must act. After ...e5 the play is King's English with g3 and Bg2 for White and ...d5 or ...Bb4 ideas for Black. After ...e6, White can go e4 or d4, and Black can pin with ...Bb4. After ...c5 and ...d5, the e4 push and Bb5+ make the game sharp. Each choice gives a different structure.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.11: level. Its three top choices for Black:
- +0.11 2...e5 3.g3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.Bg2
- +0.19 2...c5 3.Nf3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4
- +0.29 2...d5 3.cxd5 Nxd5 4.e4 Nxc3 5.bxc3
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
4,099 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 52.6%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
Where it goes next
- Anglo-Indian Defense, Hedgehog System2...e6 · 2,078 games
- Anglo-Grünfeld Defense2...d5 · 662 games
- Symmetrical Variation, Fianchetto Variation2...c5 · 587 games
- Anglo-Indian Defense, Nimzo-English2...e6 · rare
- Anglo-Indian Defense, Anti-Anti-Grünfeld2...g6 · rare
- Anglo-Grünfeld Defense, Korchnoi Variation2...d5 · rare
- Symmetrical Variation, Rubinstein Variation2...c5 · rare
How to play against it
As Black, do not allow e4 and e5 for free. Choose ...e5, ...e6 or ...d5 and know the next few moves. As White, follow up with e4 when Black plays slowly, or g3 and Bg2 against ...e5.
Questions
What are the moves of the English Opening: Anglo-Indian Defense, Queen's Knight Variation?
The English Opening: Anglo-Indian Defense, Queen's Knight Variation starts 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3. Its ECO code is A16.
Is the English Opening: Anglo-Indian Defense, Queen's Knight Variation good for White?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.11 at depth 20, which is level. In 4,099 lichess games from our sample, White scored 52.6%. A direct choice for White players who like central play and are ready for King's English and Grünfeld structures.
What is the main idea of the English Opening: Anglo-Indian Defense, Queen's Knight Variation?
White prepares e4 to chase the f6 knight. Black must choose a central reply right away, and each choice leads to a different English structure.
What should Black play next?
The engine's first choice is e5, with c5 and d5 close behind. 2...e5 claims the center and leads to King's English positions.
Related lines
- English Opening: Anglo-Indian Defense
- Hedgehog System
- King's Knight Variation
- King's Indian Formation
- How to beat the English Openingguide
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.