King's Indian Defense
The King's Indian Defense is a hypermodern opening where Black allows White to establish a large pawn center, then attacks it with pieces and pawn breaks. After 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7, Black fianchettoes the kingside bishop and prepares to strike with ...d6 and ...e5. The King's Indian has been the weapon of choice for Fischer, Kasparov, and Bronstein.
Main Line
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 O-O 6.Be2 e5 7.O-O Nc6 8.d5
White establishes d4, controlling the center and preparing to build a large pawn structure.
Black develops Nf6, controlling e4 without committing pawns. A hypermodern approach.
White adds c4, expanding the center and preparing e4.
Black fianchettoes with g6, preparing to place the bishop on g7. Black lets White take space.
White develops Nc3, supporting the center.
The bishop goes to g7 — a powerful long-range piece that will exert pressure on White's center for the entire game.
White establishes the big center with e4. Three pawns on c4, d4, e4 control massive space.
Black plays d6, preparing e5 and keeping the center flexible.
White develops Nf3, completing a harmonious setup.
Black castles, tucking the king away before the central battle begins.
White develops Be2, a solid but unassuming move that completes the kingside setup.
Black strikes back with e5 — the thematic King's Indian counter. This challenges White's center.
White castles, and the position is ready for the decisive central battle.
Black develops Nc6, adding support to e5.
White advances d5, closing the center. This is the critical moment — the position splits into two separate battles: White on the queenside, Black on the kingside.
Key Ideas
- The g7 bishop is Black's most powerful piece — it fires along the long diagonal and must never be traded without excellent compensation.
- After d5 closes the center, it becomes a race: White attacks with c5-c6, b4-b5; Black attacks with f5-f4, g5-g4.
- Black's pawn break ...f5 is the key thematic move — it opens the f-file for an attack on White's castled king.
- White's queenside expansion with b4 and c5 is the mirror attack — both sides must push their pawns relentlessly.
- The knight on f6 is crucial for Black — it controls e4 and prepares ...Ng4 or ...Nh5 attacking ideas.
- King safety is secondary in the King's Indian — both sides castle but then ignore safety for the sake of attack.
Variations
Sämisch Variation
Moves: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.f3 O-O 6.Be3 e5 7.Nge2
White plays f3 to prevent ...Ng4 and prepare a brutal kingside attack with g4. White often castles queenside and launches pawns at Black's king. Fischer called this variation dangerous and difficult to meet.
White plays d4, establishing a central pawn and preparing to build a large pawn center.
Black develops Nf6, a hypermodern reply — fighting for e4 without yet committing pawns.
White plays c4, expanding the center and preparing e4. Both pawns together will claim a massive space advantage.
Black plays g6, signaling the King's Indian setup. The pawn prepares the fianchetto of the dark-squared bishop.
White develops Nc3, supporting the center.
Black completes the fianchetto with Bg7 — the King's Indian bishop is placed on its ideal square, where it will pressure White's center.
White plays e4, establishing the massive three-pawn center on c4, d4, e4. Black now must attack this center or be squeezed.
Black plays d6, a key preparatory move — supporting a future ...e5 pawn break and keeping the center flexible.
The Sämisch! White plays f3, preventing ...Ng4 and preparing g4-g5. This signals aggressive intentions on the kingside.
Black castles, tucking the king in. Despite the dangerous-looking position, Black's setup is resilient.
White develops Be3, supporting d4 and preparing queenside castling. The idea is to castle long and launch a kingside pawn storm.
Black strikes back with e5, the thematic King's Indian counterattack — challenging White's massive center directly.
White plays Nge2, avoiding the pin ...Bg4 and supporting d4. The knight will go to g3 or f4 to support the kingside attack.
Averbakh Variation
Moves: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Be2 O-O 6.Bg5 Na6 7.Qd2
White develops the bishop to g5 early, restraining Black's counterplay. The Bg5 prevents ...e5. Black typically counters with ...Na6-c5 to attack the c4 pawn.
White plays d4, establishing a central pawn.
Black develops Nf6, the hypermodern King's Indian approach — fighting for the center with pieces first.
White plays c4, building toward a large pawn center.
Black plays g6, preparing the fianchetto.
White develops Nc3, reinforcing the center.
Black plays Bg7, completing the fianchetto. The dragon bishop is now in place.
White plays e4, completing the massive three-pawn center.
Black plays d6, preparing ...e5 and supporting the center.
White plays Be2, a solid developing move that prepares kingside castling.
Black castles, completing kingside development.
White plays Bg5, the Averbakh Variation's key move — pinning the f6 knight and preventing ...e5 for now. If Black plays ...e5 immediately, White wins material with Bxf6.
Black plays Na6, a creative response — the knight heads to c5 to attack the c4 pawn and challenge White's setup.
White plays Qd2, preparing to castle queenside and connecting to the bishop on g5. White keeps the initiative and prepares long-range attacking plans.
Four Pawns Attack
Moves: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.f4 O-O 6.Nf3 c5 7.d5
White builds a massive pawn center with pawns on c4, d4, e4, and f4. A very aggressive try. Black must undermine this center quickly with ...c5 or the position becomes difficult.
White plays d4, the first step in building the aggressive four-pawn center.
Black develops Nf6, the King's Indian approach — fighting for e4 while allowing White to take space.
White plays c4, the second pawn in the center formation.
Black plays g6, setting up the fianchetto.
White develops Nc3, supporting the center.
Black completes the fianchetto with Bg7.
White plays e4, the third pawn in the center.
Black plays d6, preparing ...e5 and supporting the central pawn.
White plays f4, the Four Pawns Attack! Four pawns on c4, d4, e4, f4 — a massive spatial advantage. White wants to advance this center and crush Black.
Black castles, tucking the king away before the central battle.
White develops Nf3, completing development and supporting the center.
Black plays c5, the most principled response — immediately striking at the base of White's huge center. Black must attack this center or be smothered.
White plays d5, closing the center and claiming massive space. The position splits into a race: White advances on the queenside, Black on the kingside.