King's Indian Defense

Before the first move

The King's Indian Defense is a hypermodern opening where Black allows White to build a massive pawn center, only to strike back later with piece activity. White aims for total central control, while you prepare a powerful counter-attack using your fianchettoed bishop on the long diagonal.

1. d4White

White starts with d4, a solid foundation that avoids the early tactical chaos of king's pawn openings. You have many ways to respond, including the symmetrical d5 or the sharp Englund Gambit with e5, but developing a knight is the most flexible choice.

1... Nf6Black · your move

Develop your knight to f6. This flexible move prevents White from immediately playing e4 and keeps your options open. You are preparing to see how White commits their pawns before deciding on your own pawn structure.

Other paths here: Na6 (Australian Defense) · g5 (Borg Defense: Borg Gambit) · b6 (English Defense) · e5 (Englund Gambit)

2. c4White

White plays c4, expanding their central influence and preparing to develop the knight to c3. While White could try the London System with Bf4 or the Fianchetto with g3, this move is the most ambitious attempt to dominate the board from the start.

Other paths here: f4 (Canard Opening) · g4 (Indian Defense: Gibbins-Weidenhagen Gambit) · e4 (Indian Defense: Omega Gambit) · d5 (Indian Defense: Pawn Push Variation)

2... g6Black · your move

Move your pawn to g6 to prepare the fianchetto of your bishop. This is the defining moment of the King's Indian Defense. You are signaling that you will fight for the center with pieces rather than pawns for the next few moves.

Other paths here: g5 (Indian Defense: Medusa Gambit) · b5 (Indian Defense: Pyrenees Gambit) · a6 (Indian: 2.c4 a6) · Nc6 (Mexican Defense)

3. Nc3White

White plays Nc3, a direct and aggressive move that prepares to seize the entire center with e4. You must decide whether to continue with the King's Indian by playing Bg7 or switch to the Gruenfeld Defense by striking the center immediately with d5.

Other paths here: d5 (Indian Defense: Anti-Grünfeld, Advance Variation) · f3 (Indian Defense: Anti-Grünfeld, Alekhine Variation) · h4 (Indian Defense: Anti-Grünfeld, Basman-Williams Attack) · g3 (King's Indian Defense: Fianchetto Variation, Immediate Fianchetto)

Where you stand

White has established a strong presence in the center and is ready to push e4. Black will soon castle and then must choose a central break, typically using the e5 or c5 pawns to challenge White's dominance and open the long diagonal for the dark-squared bishop.

• f8-g7 Fianchetto the bishop to the long diagonal
• e8-g8 Castle kingside to secure the king
• e2-e4 Seize the full center with e4
• g1-f3 Develop the knight to support the center