King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation

Before the first move

The King's Indian Defense is a hypermodern masterpiece where Black invites White to build a massive center, only to strike back later with a thematic pawn break. In this Orthodox Variation, White develops classically with Re1, preparing to overprotect the center while Black readies a counter-strike on the kingside.

1. d4White

White starts with d4, a solid and ambitious choice that controls the center. You will often see this leading to the Queen's Gambit or various Indian Defenses. It immediately challenges you to fight for your share of the middle.

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 see how White commits their pawns before deciding on your defensive structure.

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 central control and preparing to develop the knight to c3. While White could try g3 for a Fianchetto system or f4 for the Canard, c4 is the most principled way to fight for a space advantage.

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

Slide your pawn to g6. You are preparing to fianchetto your bishop on g7, where it will exert long-range pressure along the great diagonal. This is the defining characteristic of the King's Indian and Benoni structures.

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 direct way to support the e4 push. Alternatives like g3 lead to quieter positions, but this move challenges you to prove that your kingside fianchetto is enough to compensate for White's space.

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 piece is the soul of your position, defending your king and eyeing the center from afar. It will be your most important attacker once the center opens up.

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 center. This is the main line of the King's Indian. White has a massive space advantage, and you must now decide how to challenge it—usually by preparing the d6 and e5 breaks.

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 crucial move stops White from pushing e5 and prepares your own counter-strike in the center. It also opens a path for your light-squared bishop to enter the game.

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

5. Nf3White

White plays Nf3, entering the Classical Variation. Other aggressive options like f4 (Four Pawns Attack) or h3 (Makogonov) exist, but this is the most respected and deeply studied way to play for White.

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 tucking your king away, you complete your initial development and prepare to focus entirely on the central battle. Your king is well-guarded by the bishop and knight.

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. This is the Orthodox line. White could try the more aggressive Be3 (Larsen) or Bg5 (Zinnowitz), but Be2 is the most flexible, allowing White to react to whatever plan you choose.

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 of the King's Indian! You are challenging White's center directly and forcing them to make a decision about the tension between the d4 and e5 pawns.

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, maintaining the central tension. White could have played d5 (Petrosian) or dxe5 (Exchange), but castling is the most flexible. You now have to decide how to reinforce your e5 pawn.

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)

7... Nbd7Black · your move

Develop your knight to d7. This move supports your e5 pawn and prepares for further maneuvers. From d7, the knight can jump to c5 to pressure the e4 pawn or help facilitate a kingside attack later.

Other paths here: c6 (King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation, Donner Defense) · Na6 (King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation, Glek Defense) · a5 (King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation, Ukrainian Defense) · exd4 (King's Indian: 7.O-O exd4)

8. Re1White

White plays Re1, a prophylactic move that solidifies the center. You'll now have to decide whether to maintain the tension or release it with exd4. White is ready for a long, maneuvering struggle.

Other paths here: Be3 (King's Indian: 7.O-O Nbd7 8.Be3) · Qc2 (King's Indian: 7.O-O Nbd7 8.Qc2) · d5 (King's Indian: 7.O-O Nbd7 8.d5 Nc5)

Where you stand

The position is a rich, strategic battlefield. White has a space advantage and a solid center, while Black has a safe king and clear plans for counterplay. Black will often look to expand on the kingside with f5 or pressure e4 with Nc5, while White aims to expand on the queenside or slowly increase the central pressure.

• d7-c5 Knight pressures e4 and targets d3
• f8-e8 Rook reinforces the central e5 pawn
• c1-e3 Bishop develops and eyes the queenside
• d4-d5 White can close center to gain space