King's Indian: 4.e4 d6 5.Bd3

Before the first move

The King's Indian Defense is a dynamic, hypermodern response to 1.d4 where Black allows White to build a massive center with the intention of striking back later. In this specific variation, White develops the bishop to d3 early, creating a solid wall to discourage Black's typical central breaks.

1. d4White · your move

Push your pawn to d4. This move claims central space and opens lines for your queen and dark-squared bishop. It is the foundation for many solid and aggressive systems, forcing Black to decide how they will challenge your control of the middle.

1... Nf6Black

Black replies Nf6, the hallmark of the Indian Defenses. By developing the knight, you control the e4 square and prepare for a kingside fianchetto. Alternatives like the Englund Gambit with e5 or the solid Horwitz Defense with e6 lead to 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. This move gains further space and prepares to develop your knight behind the pawn. It also puts pressure on the d5 square, making it harder for Black to establish a pawn in the center comfortably.

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 chooses g6, signaling the King's Indian. You are preparing to tuck your bishop away and castle quickly. While moves like e6 or c5 are common alternatives that lead to the Queen's Indian or Benoni, g6 remains the most aggressive and complex choice.

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 increases your control over the d5 and e4 squares and prepares to support a further pawn push to e4. It is a natural developing move that puts meaningful pressure on the center.

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 replies Bg7, completing the fianchetto. This bishop is the soul of your position. White now has a choice: the main line with e4, the Fianchetto Variation with g3, or even the aggressive Samisch Variation with f3.

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. e4White · your move

Push your pawn to e4. You have successfully established a broad pawn center, controlling a significant portion of the board. This move also opens the path for your light-squared bishop and prepares for kingside development.

Other paths here: Bf4 (King's Indian: 4.Bf4) · Bg5 (King's Indian: 4.Bg5) · g3 (King's Indian: 4.g3) · Nf3 (King's Indian: 4.Nf3)

4... d6Black

Black plays d6, a necessary stabilizing move. You prevent the e5 push and prepare to challenge the center with e5 yourself. While castling immediately is possible, d6 is the standard way to keep the center under control.

Other paths here: O-O (King's Indian: 4.e4 O-O)

5. Bd3White · your move

Slide your bishop to d3. This is a solid and somewhat unusual placement in the King's Indian. The bishop defends the e4 pawn and prepares for kingside castling while making it more difficult for Black to successfully execute the e5 break.

Other paths here: Bg5 (King's Indian Defense: Accelerated Averbakh Variation) · Nge2 (King's Indian Defense: Kramer Variation) · h3 (King's Indian Defense: Makogonov Variation) · g3 (King's Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Deferred Fianchetto)

Where you stand

The position is a rich struggle between White's space and Black's counterattacking potential. White will likely develop the kingside knight to e2 to avoid blocking the f-pawn, while Black will castle and look for an e5 or c5 break. Both sides must carefully time their central advances to avoid creating permanent weaknesses.

• g1-e2 Develop knight to e2 to support e4
• e8-g8 Castle kingside to secure the king
• e7-e5 Strike at the center with e5
• f2-f4 Expand on the kingside with f4