Bogo-Indian Defense: Retreat Variation
ECO E11 · Bogo-Indian Defense
The Bogo-Indian Defense: Retreat Variation (E11) is a chess opening in the Bogo-Indian Defense family, played by Black. It arises after the moves 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Bb4+ 5. Bd2 Be7 6. Bg2 O-O 7. O-O c6 8. Qc2 Nbd7 9. Bf4 b6 10. Nbd2 Ba6.
Moves: 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Bb4+ 5. Bd2 Be7 6. Bg2 O-O 7. O-O c6 8. Qc2 Nbd7 9. Bf4 b6 10. Nbd2 Ba6
About this opening
The Retreat Variation (4.g3 Bb4+ 5.Bd2 Be7) sees the black bishop drop back to e7 after provoking Bd2, having cost White's bishop half a tempo and adopting a structure close to the Queen's Indian. Black aims for a solid position with ...d5, ...O-O and ...c6. The idea is subtle: use the check as a provoking move before returning to a classical, safe plan.