King's Indian: 5.Nf3 Bg4

Before the first move

The King's Indian Defense is a dynamic, hypermodern opening where Black allows White to build a massive center with the intention of attacking it later. In this specific variation, Black uses an early bishop sortie to g4 to pressure White's kingside knight and challenge White's central control immediately.

1. d4White · your move

Push your pawn to d4. This move claims central space, controls the e5 square, and opens lines for your queen and dark-squared bishop. It is the foundation for many positional and attacking setups.

1... Nf6Black

Black responds with Nf6, the most popular way to meet d4. By developing the knight, Black keeps their options open; they might choose the Horwitz Defense with e6 or the English Defense with b6 later on.

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

2. c4White · your move

Push your c-pawn to c4. This move strengthens your grip on the d5 square and prepares to develop your knight behind the pawn. It is the classic way to build a broad center in the Queen's Pawn openings.

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 plays g6, committing to a kingside fianchetto. This is much more flexible than the Queen's Indian with b6 or the Mexican Defense with Nc6, as it prepares for a solid kingside castle.

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

Bring your knight to c3. This move develops a piece toward the center and prepares the e4 pawn push. It puts immediate pressure on the d5 square and supports your central ambitions.

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, solidifying the King's Indian structure. At this point, Black could have diverted into the Grunfeld Defense with d5, but by placing the bishop on g7, they invite White to occupy the center fully.

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 classical pawn center. This move gains significant space and restricts Black's minor pieces, forcing them to find a way to strike back.

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 standard move that prevents the e5 push and prepares for development. While castling immediately is possible, d6 is necessary to ensure the knight on f6 isn't harassed by the e-pawn.

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

5. Nf3White · your move

Develop your knight to f3. This is the most natural way to defend your d4 pawn and prepare for kingside castling. It keeps your position flexible and solid against Black's upcoming pressure.

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... Bg4Black

Black plays Bg4, an active alternative to the standard O-O or Nbd7. By pinning the knight, Black aims to trade it off or force White to weaken their structure to break the pin.

Other paths here: c5 (King's Indian: 5.Nf3 c5) · Nbd7 (King's Indian: 5.Nf3 Nbd7) · O-O (King's Indian: 5.Nf3 O-O)

Where you stand

The position is sharp and strategically rich. White possesses a strong central presence and will look to finish development with Be2 and O-O. Black has successfully created tension and must decide whether to exchange on f3 or maintain the pin. The battle will revolve around whether White's space advantage outweighs Black's piece activity and pressure on d4.

• f1-e2 Develop the bishop to break the pin
• e1-g1 Castle kingside to secure the king
• g4-f3 Trade the bishop to weaken White's center
• b8-d7 Develop the knight to support e5
• e7-e5 Strike at the center with e5