King's Indian: Fianchetto with 6...Nd7

Before the first move

The King's Indian Fianchetto Variation is a strategic and solid approach for White. By mirroring Black's kingside fianchetto, White aims to blunt the power of the g7-bishop and maintain a safe, long-term space advantage without the sharp tactical risks of the Sämisch or Classical lines.

1. d4White · your move

Push your pawn to d4. This move stakes a claim in the center and opens paths for your queen and dark-squared bishop. It is the foundation for many positional systems where you control the pace of the game.

1... Nf6Black

Black replies with Nf6, the most common response to d4. This prevents an immediate e4 and leads into the Indian Defenses. Other popular tries like e6 (Horwitz Defense) or the aggressive e5 (Englund Gambit) offer very different types of games.

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

2. c4White · your move

Push your pawn to c4. By placing a second pawn in the center, you gain more space and prepare to develop your knight behind the pawn. This move is characteristic of the Queen's Gambit and most Indian systems.

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

Black plays g6, preparing to develop the bishop to g7. This hypermodern approach allows White to occupy the center temporarily while Black prepares to strike back later. Alternatives like e6 or c5 would lead to the Nimzo-Indian or Benoni structures.

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

3. Nc3White · your move

Develop your knight to c3. This move reinforces your control over the d5 and e4 squares. It is a natural developing move that prepares for further central expansion or the defense of your d4 pawn.

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)

3... Bg7Black

Black completes the fianchetto with Bg7. The stage is set for a King's Indian. Black could have played d5 here to enter the Grünfeld Defense, but Bg7 keeps the position more closed and strategically complex.

Other paths here: d5 (Grünfeld Defense) · c5 (King's Indian: 3.Nc3 c5) · c6 (King's Indian: 3.Nc3 c6) · d6 (King's Indian: 3.Nc3 d6)

4. Nf3White · your move

Develop your knight to f3. This move controls e5 and d4 while preparing to castle. It is a flexible developing move that keeps White's options open before committing to a specific central structure.

Other paths here: Bf4 (King's Indian: 4.Bf4) · Bg5 (King's Indian: 4.Bg5) · g3 (King's Indian: 4.g3) · e4 (King's Indian Defense: Normal Variation)

4... d6Black

Black plays d6, a standard King's Indian move that solidifies the center and prevents any annoying e5 thrusts. Black could also castle immediately, but d6 is a useful prophylactic measure to define the pawn structure.

Other paths here: O-O (King's Indian: 4.Nf3 O-O)

5. g3White · your move

Push your pawn to g3. You are preparing to fianchetto your own bishop to g2. This mirrors Black's setup and is the defining move of the Fianchetto Variation, aiming for a safe and solid kingside.

Other paths here: Bg5 (King's Indian Defense: Smyslov Variation) · e3 (King's Indian: 4.Nf3 d6 5.e3)

5... O-OBlack

Black castles, finishing the first stage of development. The king is safe behind the fianchettoed bishop. Now Black is ready to choose a plan, usually involving a pawn break in the center with e5 or c5.

6. Bg2White · your move

Fianchetto your bishop to g2. This completes your kingside development and provides excellent protection for your king. The bishop also eyes the center and the queenside from its long-range post.

6... Nbd7Black

Black plays Nbd7, a flexible move preparing the e5 break. This is the 6...Nbd7 variation. Black could also try c6 to prepare b5, or Nc6 to pressure d4 immediately, but the d7 knight is a very classical King's Indian maneuver.

Other paths here: c6 (King's Indian: Fianchetto, 6...c6) · Nc6 (King's Indian: Fianchetto, 6...Nc6) · c5 (King's Indian: Fianchetto, Yugoslav, 7.d5)

Where you stand

The position is a classic strategic battle. White will likely castle and then seek to expand on the queenside or maintain the central tension. Black's main goal is to challenge the center with e5 or c5. Both sides have finished their initial development, and the game will now revolve around pawn breaks and piece maneuvering in a closed, complex environment.

• e1-g1 Castle kingside to secure the king.
• d7-e5 Support the e5 central pawn break.
• c1-e3 Develop the bishop to control d4.
• f6-e8 Relocate the knight to allow f5.
• c3-d5 Pressure the d5 square in center.