King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation

Before the first move

The King's Indian Defense is a dynamic, hypermodern response to 1.d4. Black allows White to build a massive center with the goal of later undermining it with pawn breaks. In this Orthodox Variation, both sides complete their development and prepare for a high-stakes battle over central control and kingside attacks.

1. d4White

White plays d4, the most common alternative to e4. By occupying the center, White invites a variety of defensive setups. While e4 leads to more open games, d4 often transitions into complex strategic battles like the Queen's Gambit or various Indian systems depending on how you choose to respond.

1... Nf6Black · your move

Develop your knight to f6. This flexible move prevents White from immediately playing e4 and prepares for various setups. It keeps your options open while exerting pressure on the d5 and e4 squares, making it the most popular and respected response to White's first move.

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

2. c4White

White plays c4, expanding their central influence and preparing to develop the knight to c3. This is the main line, though White can choose the London System with Bf4 or the Catalan setup with g3. Even the aggressive Gibbins-Weidenhagen Gambit with g4 is a rare, wild alternative here.

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

Move your pawn to g6. This prepares to fianchetto your bishop to g7, where it will exert long-range pressure along the great diagonal. This is the defining characteristic of the King's Indian and Grunfeld defenses, signaling your plan to attack the center from a distance.

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 central tension and preparing the e4 push. This is the most direct way to challenge your setup. White could also try the Fianchetto Variation with g3 or the Averbakh-style Bg5, but Nc3 is the most common and testing move in this position.

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. From this powerful outpost, your bishop radiates influence across the board, eyeing the d4 pawn and the queenside. This piece is your most important defender and attacker, forming the heart of your defensive and offensive strategies.

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 as you invited them to do. This is the critical moment of the opening. White could also choose slower development with Nf3 or g3, but e4 represents the most principled attempt to seize the initiative and space early on.

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 move is crucial as it stops White from pushing e5 and attacking your knight. It also prepares for your own central counter-strike with e5 or c5, while opening a path for your light-squared bishop.

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

5. Nf3White

White plays Nf3, opting for the Classical Variation. This is the most popular and solid approach. White has many aggressive alternatives here, such as the Samisch with f3 or the Four Pawns Attack with f4, but Nf3 leads to the most refined strategic battles.

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. By moving your king to g8 and your rook to f8, you complete your kingside development and secure your king. This is a vital step before you begin your central counter-attack and start challenging White's space advantage.

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 signature move of the Orthodox Variation. White develops calmly, preparing to castle and maintain their central grip. Other setups like the Larsen Variation with Be3 or the Zinnowitz with Bg5 offer more immediate aggression but less long-term stability than this classical move.

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. This is the thematic strike in the King's Indian. You are directly challenging White's center and forcing a decision. This move often leads to a closed center where you can begin a powerful attack on the kingside.

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. O-OWhite

White castles, completing their development in the Orthodox main line. The stage is set for a massive middle-game struggle. White could also choose to close the center immediately with d5 (Petrosian Variation) or trade on e5, but castling keeps the most options on the table.

Other paths here: dxe5 (King's Indian Defense: Exchange Variation) · Be3 (King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation, Gligoric-Taimanov System) · d5 (King's Indian Defense: Petrosian Variation)

Where you stand

The position is a classic King's Indian battlefield. Black will typically look to close the center with Nc6 and then launch a kingside pawn storm with f5. White, meanwhile, will aim for queenside expansion with b4 and c5, trying to break through before Black's attack becomes lethal. Both sides must balance their offensive ambitions with careful defensive maneuvers.

• f6-h5 Maneuver the knight to prepare f5
• f7-f5 Strike with f5 to start kingside attack
• d4-d5 Close the center to gain space
• c1-e3 Develop the bishop to support the center
• c4-c5 Expand on the queenside to create threats