King's Indian: 5.Be2 e5

Before the first move

The King's Indian Defense is a hypermodern battle where Black invites White to build a massive pawn center, only to strike back at it later. In the Averbakh-adjacent lines with Be2, White prepares solid development while Black immediately challenges the d4-pawn to create central tension.

1. d4White · your move

Push your pawn to d4 to claim central space and open lines for your queen and bishop. This move establishes a foothold in the center and prepares to control the pace of the game from the very first step.

1... Nf6Black

Black replies with Nf6, the most popular and flexible response. It stops White from playing e4 for now. While Black could try the Englund Gambit with e5 or the solid Horwitz Defense with e6, the knight move is the gold standard for high-level play.

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

2. c4White · your move

Advance your pawn to c4. By doing this, you reinforce your control over the d5-square and prepare to develop your knight behind the pawn. This is a classic way to build a powerful queenside presence.

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 intent to play a King's Indian or Grunfeld. Other moves like e6 would lead toward the Queen's Indian or Nimzo-Indian, but g6 prepares a powerful defensive bastion for the king.

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 puts more pressure on the d5 and e4 squares, supporting your center and preparing for further expansion. It is the most natural square for the knight in these structures.

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 continues with Bg7, completing the fianchetto. If Black wanted to change the character of the game, d5 would lead to the sharp Grunfeld Defense, but Bg7 keeps the game within the strategic bounds of the King's Indian.

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 built a full pawn center, controlling the heart of the board. This move gains significant space and prepares for your minor pieces to find active squares behind the pawns.

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 vital prophylactic move that stops White's e-pawn from advancing to e5. While castling immediately is possible, d6 is the standard way to ensure a stable position before launching a central counterstrike.

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

5. Be2White · your move

Develop your bishop to e2. This move is modest but very solid, preparing for kingside castling and keeping an eye on the g4-square. It avoids the complications of the more aggressive Averbakh or Four Pawns Attack.

Other paths here: Bg5 (King's Indian Defense: Accelerated Averbakh Variation) · Nge2 (King's Indian Defense: Kramer Variation) · Bd3 (King's Indian: 4.e4 d6 5.Bd3) · h3 (King's Indian Defense: Makogonov Variation)

5... e5Black

Black strikes back with e5, the most thematic move in the King's Indian. Black could also try c5 to attack from the flank or Nbd7 to prepare, but e5 forces the central tension to a head immediately.

Other paths here: c5 (King's Indian: 5.Be2 c5) · Nbd7 (King's Indian: 5.Be2 Nbd7) · O-O (King's Indian: 5.Be2 O-O)

Where you stand

The position is now highly tense with the central confrontation at d4 and e5. White must decide whether to close the center with d5, trade on e5, or maintain the tension with Nf3. Black will look to castle and then decide between a kingside pawn storm or queenside play depending on White's central reaction.

• d4-e5 Capture on e5 to simplify the center
• d4-d5 Close the center to gain space
• e8-g8 Secure the king and prepare counterplay
• g1-f3 Develop the knight and maintain tension
• f6-h5 Reposition the knight to prepare f5