King's Indian Defense: Four Pawns Attack

Before the first move

The Four Pawns Attack is White's most aggressive response to the King's Indian Defense. By pushing four pawns early, White seizes massive central space and prepares a direct assault. As Black, you allow this expansion to later undermine the overextended center with timely pawn breaks.

1. d4White

White plays d4, the most common way to start a queen's pawn game. By controlling e5 and c5, White invites a strategic battle. You can respond with the solid d5 or the flexible Nf6, which leads into the King's Indian or Nimzo-Indian complexes.

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 fianchetto your bishop and enter the King's Indian Defense, a favorite of attacking players.

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

2. c4White

White plays c4, expanding the pawn front and preparing to develop the knight to c3. This is the hallmark of the Queen's Gambit and Indian systems. You might also see moves like Nf3 or g3 here, but c4 is the most ambitious for space.

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, where it will exert long-range pressure along the h8-a1 diagonal. This is a key component of your defensive and counter-attacking strategy.

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, increasing the pressure on the center and preparing the e4 advance. This is the most principled development. White could also try g3 for a more positional approach or Nf3 to keep the center fluid for a moment.

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 · your move

Fianchetto your bishop to g7. This bishop is your most important minor piece in this opening. From g7, it defends your king and eyes the center, waiting for the right moment to strike at White's d4-pawn.

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

White plays e4, completing the big center. You must now decide how to challenge this wall of pawns. While White could play Nf3 or g3 to slow things down, e4 is the most direct challenge to your hypermodern setup.

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 · your move

Push your pawn to d6. This move is essential to stop White from pushing e5 and to prepare your own central counter-strikes like e5 or c5. It also opens a path for your light-squared bishop.

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

5. f4White

White plays f4, launching the Four Pawns Attack. White now has a massive wall of pawns on c4, d4, e4, and f4. It looks intimidating, but it is also a commitment that leaves weaknesses you can exploit with c5 or e5.

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)

Where you stand

The battle lines are drawn in one of chess's most volatile openings. White has a massive space advantage and attacking potential, but their center is wide and potentially brittle. Black must now strike back immediately with c5 or e5 to chip away at the pawn wall before White can consolidate and launch a kingside storm.

• c7-c5 Strike the center with c5
• g1-f3 Develop the knight to f3
• e8-g8 Get the king to safety
• f1-e2 Develop the bishop to e2
• f6-e4 Pressure the e4 pawn