Queen's Indian Defense: Kasparov-Petrosian Variation, Polovodin Gambit
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Statistics from Lichess
2,111 games: White 46.8% / Draw 5.6% / Black 47.6%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 1,9651,965 | ||
| 139139 | ||
| 55 | ||
| 22 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Nov 6, 2026
Engine evaluation
−0.28 The position is about equal
Best play: 7... Nxc3 8. bxc3 Bxe4 9. Ne5 Bd5 10. Bb5+ c6 11. Bd3 Nd7 12. O-O
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Queen's Indian Defense: Kasparov-Petrosian Variation, Polovodin Gambit (ECO E12, Indian Defenses) is a gambit in the Queen's Indian Defense: Kasparov Variation, reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. Nc3 Bb7 5. a3 d5 6. cxd5 Nxd5 7. e4 (7 moves).
In 2,111 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 46.8%, Black 47.6% and 5.6% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 7…Nxc3, in 93% of those games.
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How to play against the Queen's Indian Defense: Kasparov-Petrosian Variation, Polovodin Gambit
7…Nf6 scores best for Black: 59.7%, with Black winning 57.6% and White 38.1% of 139 games. The most played answer, 7…Nxc3, scores lowest: 49.8% in 1,965 games. Stockfish's first choice is 7…Nxc3.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: Black's wins plus half the draws, in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500. How to play against other popular openings
Transpositions
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Queen's Indian Defense: Kasparov-Petrosian Variation, Polovodin Gambit (E12)”. Lichess data as of 6 Nov 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/queens-indian-defense-kasparov-petrosian-variation-polovodin-gambit