King's Indian Defense: Petrosian Variation, Normal Defense

Before the first move

The Petrosian Variation is a strategic squeeze where White closes the center early with d5 to restrict Black's counterplay. While White gains a space advantage on the queenside, Black prepares a classic King's Indian breakthrough on the kingside with the f7-f5 pawn strike.

1. d4White

White begins with d4, the most common way to fight for central space and a strategic game. By occupying d4, White prevents Black from easily placing a pawn on e5 or c5 right away.

1... Nf6Black · your move

Develop your knight to f6. This flexible move controls the e4 and d5 squares, preventing White from immediately playing e4 and keeping your options open for several different defensive setups.

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

2. c4White

White plays c4, expanding on the queenside and preparing a massive central presence. While White could try the London System or the Tartakower Attack with g3, c4 is the most ambitious and traditional main line.

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 on g7, where it will exert long-range pressure across the long diagonal toward the center and the queenside.

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 developing move. White ignores sidelines like the Saemisch with f3 or the aggressive Basman-Williams Attack with h4, focusing instead on rapid development and central control.

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

Bring your bishop to g7. Your 'King's Indian Bishop' is now perfectly placed on the long diagonal, eyeing the center and ready to support your king after you castle.

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 seizes the full center with e4. This is the Classical approach. White could have opted for the Fianchetto Variation with g3 or the Averbakh with Bg5, but e4 challenges Black to prove their setup is sound.

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 stops White from pushing e5 to kick your knight and prepares your own central strike, usually with the e7-e5 pawn push.

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

5. Nf3White

White plays Nf3, entering the Classical Variation. Alternatives like the Makogonov with h3 or the Kramer with Nge2 are popular, but this move is the gold standard for maintaining central tension.

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 the kingside. This tucks your king away behind a wall of pawns and brings your rook toward the center, completing the first stage of your development.

Other paths here: Bg4 (King's Indian: 5.Nf3 Bg4) · c5 (King's Indian: 5.Nf3 c5) · Nbd7 (King's Indian: 5.Nf3 Nbd7)

6. Be2White

White plays Be2, the most solid choice. White could try the Larsen Variation with Be3 or the Zinnowitz with Bg5, but Be2 is the classic way to prepare for the coming central explosion.

Other paths here: Be3 (King's Indian Defense: Larsen Variation) · Bg5 (King's Indian Defense: Zinnowitz Variation) · Bd3 (King's Indian: 5.Nf3 O-O 6.Bd3) · h3 (King's Indian: 5.Nf3 O-O 6.h3)

6... e5Black · your move

Push your pawn to e5 to challenge White's center directly. This move is the soul of the King's Indian, forcing White to decide whether to trade, maintain the tension, or push past.

Other paths here: Na6 (King's Indian Defense: Kazakh Variation) · a5 (King's Indian: 6.Be2 a5) · a6 (King's Indian: 6.Be2 a6) · Bg4 (King's Indian: 6.Be2 Bg4)

7. d5White

White plays d5, the signature move of the Petrosian System. By closing the center, White avoids the Exchange Variation and the main line Orthodox, choosing instead a long-term strategic squeeze.

Other paths here: dxe5 (King's Indian Defense: Exchange Variation) · Be3 (King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation, Gligoric-Taimanov System) · O-O (King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation)

7... Nbd7Black · your move

Develop your knight to d7. From here, the knight can jump to c5 to pressure the e4 pawn or support the f5 pawn break, which is your primary plan for counterplay.

Other paths here: a5 (King's Indian Defense: Petrosian Variation, Stein Defense) · c5 (King's Indian: Petrosian, 7...c5)

Where you stand

The position is a classic closed center struggle. White will aim to expand on the queenside with moves like b4 and c5, while Black must prepare the f7-f5 break to create kingside threats. Precision is key, as White's space advantage can become overwhelming if Black fails to generate active counterplay quickly.

• d7-c5 Maneuver the knight to c5 to pressure e4
• f7-f5 Challenge the center with the f5 break
• c1-g5 Pin the f6 knight to hinder f5
• b2-b4 Initiate queenside expansion with b4