King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation, Aronin-Taimanov Defense

Before the first move

The King's Indian Defense is a hypermodern masterpiece where Black allows White to build a massive center only to strike back later. In the Mar del Plata variation, the game often transforms into a thrilling race: White attacks on the queenside while Black launches a direct assault on the enemy king.

1. d4White

White opens with d4, the most common way to enter closed or semi-closed systems. By occupying the center, White invites you to choose between the solid Queen's Gambit or more provocative Indian defenses.

1... Nf6Black · your move

Develop your knight to f6. This flexible move prevents White from immediately playing e4 and keeps your options open for several different defensive setups against the d4 pawn.

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

2. c4White

White plays c4, gaining more space and preparing the Nc3 development. While White could try the London System or the Trompowsky Attack, this is the most ambitious way to fight for a central 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

Push your pawn to g6. You are preparing to fianchetto your bishop on g7, where it will exert long-range pressure across the board's longest diagonal and protect your future castled king.

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 could also try the Fianchetto Variation with g3 or the aggressive 3.Bg5, but this move keeps the maximum amount of pressure on the center.

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, acting as a powerful defender and a hidden attacker that will eventually strike at White's central pawns.

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 a massive amount of space. This is the main line, though White sometimes opts for the quieter g3 or Nf3 setups to avoid the sharpest tactical lines of the King's Indian.

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 for your own central counterstrike, usually involving the e5 or c5 pawn breaks.

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

5. Nf3White

White plays Nf3, entering the Classical Variation. Alternatives like the Sämisch with f3 or the Makogonov with h3 are also popular, each leading to very different strategic themes and pawn structures.

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 now, you are ready to begin the active phase of the opening where you finally challenge White's large pawn center.

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 of the Orthodox Variation. White could try more aggressive placements like Be3 or Bg5, but Be2 is the most solid and flexible choice for a long-term battle.

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 strike at the heart of White's center. This is the critical break in the King's Indian, forcing White to decide whether to close the center or maintain the tension.

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 development. White had other options here, such as the Exchange Variation with dxe5 or the Petrosian Variation with d5, but castling is the most flexible and common approach.

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... Nc6Black · your move

Bring your knight to c6 to put maximum pressure on the d4 pawn. This move invites White to push d5, which will officially start the Mar del Plata race between the two sides.

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)

Where you stand

The stage is set for a legendary battle. White will likely push d5, closing the center and beginning a queenside expansion with b4 and c5. Black will respond by maneuvering the f6-knight away to launch the f5 pawn break, starting a direct and dangerous attack against the White king. Whoever breaks through first usually wins.

• d4-d5 Close the center to start queenside play
• f6-e8 Relocate the knight to prepare f5
• f7-f5 Launch the kingside pawn storm
• b2-b4 Expand on the queenside to create threats