King's Indian Defense: Four Pawns Attack, Fluid Attack

Before the first move

The Four Pawns Attack is White's most aggressive way to meet the King's Indian Defense. By establishing a massive pawn center, White aims to crush you before you can coordinate. You will allow this space, then strike back at the heart of the center with your pawns to prove that White's wall is overextended and fragile.

1. d4White

White plays d4, the most common way to start a closed game. By occupying the center, White prepares to develop their pieces behind a solid pawn wall. You'll see this move more than any other at the top level, as it leads to complex strategic battles.

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 enter the King's Indian or Nimzo-Indian structures, waiting to see how White commits their pawns before you strike.

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

2. c4White

White plays c4, doubling down on the center and preparing the Nc3 development. This is the hallmark of the Queen's Pawn systems. White could also try the London System with Bf4 or the Trompowsky with Bg5, but c4 remains the most testing challenge.

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 the defining move of the King's Indian Defense, signaling your intent to counterattack from the flanks.

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, the most natural development. White develops a piece toward the center and prepares the e4 push. White could also try g3 for a more positional Fianchetto Variation, but Nc3 is the most direct path to central dominance.

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 powerful piece is the soul of your defense, staring down the long diagonal toward White's queenside. It provides great protection for your king while waiting for the center to open up so its power can be unleashed.

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, seizing the full center. This is the main line of the King's Indian. White could also choose quieter setups like Nf3 or g3, but e4 is the most ambitious try, claiming as much territory as possible in the opening.

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

Move your pawn to d6. This modest-looking move is essential; it stops White from pushing e5 to kick your knight and prepares your own central counter-strikes. You are solidifying your position and getting ready to challenge White's massive pawn center very soon.

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

5. f4White

White plays f4, the aggressive Four Pawns Attack. White is going for the throat, building a massive wall. More positional players might prefer Nf3 or the Makogonov with h3, but f4 is the choice for those who want to win by force.

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 · your move

Castle your king to safety. Despite White's intimidating pawn wall, your king is now secure. You have completed your kingside development and are now ready to start dismantling White's center. The time for a counter-strike is rapidly approaching as White's king remains in the middle.

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

6. Nf3White

White plays Nf3, finally developing the kingside knight. This move is necessary to support the center and prepare for castling. White could also try Be2 first, but Nf3 is the standard way to maintain the tension and keep the center flexible.

Other paths here: Be2 (King's Indian: Four Pawns Attack, 6.Be2)

6... c5Black · your move

Push your pawn to c5. This is the thematic break. You are challenging the d4-pawn and trying to open the long diagonal for your bishop. By forcing White to react to this tension, you begin the process of chipping away at their impressive central structure.

Other paths here: Bg4 (King's Indian: Four Pawns Attack, 6.Nf3 Bg4) · Na6 (King's Indian: Four Pawns Attack, 6.Nf3 Na6)

7. Be2White

White plays Be2, the Fluid Attack. Instead of pushing d5 immediately, White develops and keeps the central tension alive. You now have a choice: you can capture on d4 to open the game or continue your development while keeping the pressure on White's center.

Other paths here: d5 (King's Indian Defense: Four Pawns Attack, Dynamic Attack) · dxc5 (King's Indian: Four Pawns Attack, 6.Nf3 c5 7.dxc5)

Where you stand

The position is a powder keg of tactical possibilities. White has a massive space advantage, but Black has finished development and is ready to strike. The battle will revolve around whether White can maintain their central control or if Black's pressure on d4 will cause the white position to collapse into a mess of overextended pawns.

• c5-d4 Capture on d4 to open lines
• d8-b6 Queen maneuvers to pressure the center
• e1-g1 Castle to secure the white king
• d4-d5 Push d5 to close the center
• f3-d4 Recapture with the knight if needed