King's Indian: Four Pawns Attack, 6.Be2

Before the first move

The Four Pawns Attack is White's most aggressive way to challenge the King's Indian Defense. By establishing a massive pawn center immediately, you aim to crush Black before they can organize a counter-strike. Black, in turn, will look to chip away at this wall using pawn breaks like c5 or e5.

1. d4White · your move

Move your pawn to d4 to claim central space and open lines for your queen and bishop. This classic opening move establishes a firm foothold in the center and prepares to control the flow of the game.

1... Nf6Black

Black replies with Nf6, the most flexible response to d4. By developing the knight, Black controls e4 and avoids committing to a specific pawn structure. Alternatives like d5 (Queen's Gambit) or e6 (Horwitz Defense) are also popular.

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 reinforces your control over the d5-square and prepares to develop your knight behind the pawn. You are building a broad front to dominate the center of the board.

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 setup. This hypermodern approach invites White to take the center. Black could also try e6 to enter Nimzo-Indian territory or even the Mexican Defense with Nc6.

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 immediate pressure on the d5-square and supports your central pawns. It is a natural developing move that prepares for the full expansion of your 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 plays Bg7, completing the fianchetto. This bishop will be Black's most important minor piece. At this stage, Black could also strike immediately with d5, leading to the sharp Grunfeld Defense.

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 now established a powerful pawn duo in the center. This move gains even more space and prepares to develop your kingside pieces behind a solid wall.

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 in the King's Indian. It stops the e4-e5 push and prepares for future pawn breaks. Some players prefer to castle first, but d6 is the most solid foundation.

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

5. f4White · your move

Push your pawn to f4. This is the Four Pawns Attack! You are throwing four pawns forward to create a massive wall that restricts Black's pieces. This is a highly aggressive and double-edged strategy.

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... O-OBlack

Black castles, prioritizing king safety. Now that the king is tucked away, Black is ready to strike at the center with c5 or e5. Alternatives like Na6 or an immediate c5 are also sharp ways to meet the Four Pawns.

Other paths here: Na6 (King's Indian Defense: Four Pawns Attack, Modern Defense) · c5 (King's Indian: Four Pawns Attack, 5...c5)

6. Be2White · your move

Develop your bishop to e2. This is a modest but solid move that prepares for castling and keeps your position flexible. You are reinforcing your center while completing your development.

Other paths here: Nf3 (King's Indian: Four Pawns Attack, 5...O-O 6.Nf3)

Where you stand

White has achieved a massive central space advantage, but must be careful not to overextend. Black's main goal is to strike at the d4-pawn with c5 or e5 to create counterplay. The game will be a race between White's central crush and Black's tactical strikes against the pawn wall.

• g1-f3 Develop the knight to support d4
• e1-g1 Castle kingside to secure the king
• c7-c5 Strike the center with the c-pawn
• b8-c6 Route the knight to pressure d4