King's Indian Defense: Fianchetto Variation, Yugoslav Variation, Rare Line

Before the first move

The King's Indian Defense is a hypermodern battleground where Black allows White to build a massive center, intending to strike back later. In the Fianchetto Variation, White blunts Black's kingside attack by placing a bishop on g2, leading to a more positional struggle where both sides fight for control of the long diagonal.

1. d4White

White starts with d4, a classic opening move that controls the center and prepares for a strategic battle. You'll often see e4 as the main alternative, leading to more open, tactical positions.

1... Nf6Black · your move

Develop your knight to f6. This flexible move prevents White from immediately playing e4 and keeps your options open for several different defensive setups.

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

2. c4White

White plays c4, the standard follow-up to d4, building a powerful pawn duo. White could also try the London System or the Tartakower Attack with g3, but c4 remains the most ambitious try for an advantage.

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

Push your pawn to g6. You are preparing to fianchetto your bishop to g7, which is the hallmark of the King's Indian and Grünfeld defenses.

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

3. g3White

White plays g3, steering the game into the Fianchetto Variation. This is a very solid approach compared to the more aggressive Four Pawns Attack or the classical lines starting with Nf3 and Nc3.

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) · Bg5 (King's Indian: 3.Bg5)

3... Bg7Black · your move

Develop your bishop to g7. From this powerful outpost, your bishop exerts pressure across the entire board, eyeing the d4-pawn and the queenside beyond it.

Other paths here: d5 (Neo-Grünfeld Defense: with g3)

4. Bg2White

White follows through with Bg2. Both sides have now developed their kingside bishops to their long diagonals, setting the stage for a deep positional battle over the central squares.

4... O-OBlack · your move

Castle kingside. Tucking your king away to g8 is essential before you begin your counterattack in the center, ensuring your king's safety behind a wall of pawns.

Other paths here: d5 (Grünfeld Defense: Counterthrust Variation) · d6 (Spassky Variation)

5. Nc3White

White develops the knight to c3, increasing control over the center. This is the most natural developing move, though White could also choose to castle first or play Nf3 immediately.

5... d6Black · your move

Push your pawn to d6. This solidifies your control of e5 and prepares to develop your other pieces, while keeping the center flexible for a future break.

6. Nf3White

White plays Nf3, reinforcing the center and preparing to castle. This is the main line, though White occasionally tries more exotic setups like e4 or even h3 to prevent any pins on g4.

6... c5Black · your move

Push your pawn to c5. You are striking at the heart of White's center. This move, the Yugoslav Variation, challenges the d4-pawn and opens lines for your queen.

Other paths here: Nc6 (King's Indian Defense: Fianchetto Variation, Carlsbad Variation) · Nbd7 (King's Indian Defense: Fianchetto Variation, Debrecen Defense)

Where you stand

The position is a classic tension-filled struggle. White will likely push d5 to close the center and gain space, while Black will look to pressure the long diagonal and eventually expand on the queenside or kingside. Both sides must balance their central control with the safety of their kings and the activity of their fianchettoed bishops.

• d4-d5 White gains space by pushing d5
• e1-g1 White secures the king by castling
• c8-g4 Black develops the bishop to pin f3
• f8-e8 Black places the rook on e8