King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation, Classical System, Traditional Line

Before the first move

The King's Indian Defense is a high-stakes battle of opposite-side attacks. White seizes space in the center and expands on the queenside, while Black allows a large pawn center only to strike back later, often launching a direct assault against the White king.

1. d4White

White opens with d4, a solid choice that immediately fights for central dominance. This move is the foundation for many closed openings, inviting you to choose your defensive setup early on.

1... Nf6Black · your move

Develop your knight to f6. This flexible move prevents White from immediately playing e4 and keeps your options open, whether you want to strike the center with d5 or prepare a kingside fianchetto.

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

2. c4White

White plays c4, the most ambitious continuation. They are preparing to build a massive center. White could also try the Tartakower Attack with g3 or the Canard with f4, but c4 is the mainline approach.

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 along the h8-a1 diagonal, a hallmark of the King's Indian Defense.

Other paths here: g5 (Indian Defense: Medusa Gambit) · b5 (Indian Defense: Pyrenees Gambit) · a6 (Indian: 2.c4 a6) · Nc6 (Mexican Defense)

3. Nc3White

White develops the knight to c3, reinforcing the center. Alternatives like the Fianchetto Variation with g3 or the aggressive 3.Bg5 are common, but this move is the most direct way to control the middle.

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. Your bishop is now perfectly placed to defend your king and strike at the center from a distance. It will be your most important minor piece in the coming battle.

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. You have allowed this on purpose to later strike back. White could also have played Nf3 or g3, but the four-pawn attack or classical lines start here.

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 solidifies your control over e5 and prevents White from pushing their e-pawn further. 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. This is more restrained than the Averbakh with Bg5 or the Makogonov with h3, focusing on harmonious development and king safety.

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 initial development and prepare to challenge White's center with e5.

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 hallmark of the Orthodox Variation. White prefers this over the more aggressive Bd3 or the Larsen Variation with Be3, aiming for a slow, controlled build-up.

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

Strike the center with e5. This is the critical break in the King's Indian. You are challenging White's central control and forcing them to make a decision about the d4 pawn.

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 tension. They could have closed the center with d5 or played the Exchange Variation with dxe5, but O-O 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)

7... Nc6Black · your move

Develop your knight to c6. You are putting maximum pressure on the d4 pawn, practically forcing White to push it forward and close the center, which defines the next phase of the game.

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. d5White

White closes the center with d5, the most common response. This move signals the start of the race. White could also play Be3 or dxe5, but d5 creates the classic King's Indian structure.

Other paths here: Be3 (King's Indian: Mar del Plata, 8.Be3) · dxe5 (King's Indian: Mar del Plata, 8.dxe5)

8... Ne7Black · your move

Retreat your knight to e7. From here, the knight will eventually hop to f5 or d7 to support your kingside pawn storm. The path is now clear for your f-pawn to advance.

9. Ne1White

White plays Ne1, a classic maneuver. They could have tried the Bayonet Attack with b4 or the Korchnoi Attack with Bd2, but Ne1 is the traditional way to prepare for the coming storm.

Other paths here: b4 (King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation, Bayonet Attack) · Bd2 (King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation, Korchnoi Attack) · Nd2 (King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation, Modern System) · Bg5 (King's Indian: Mar del Plata, Odessa Variation)

9... Nd7Black · your move

Bring your knight to d7. This move supports your upcoming f5 push and prepares to defend your queenside. Your knights are becoming a flexible defensive and offensive unit.

Other paths here: c5 (King's Indian: Mar del Plata, 9.Ne1 c5) · Ne8 (King's Indian: Mar del Plata, 9.Ne1 Ne8)

10. f3White

White plays f3, reinforcing the center. This is the traditional line. White might also play Be3 or Nd3, but f3 is the most solid way to blunt your kingside pressure.

Other paths here: Be3 (King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation, Classical System, Neo-Classical Line) · Kh1 (King's Indian: Mar del Plata, 9.Ne1 Nd7 10.Kh1) · Nd3 (King's Indian: Mar del Plata, 9.Ne1 Nd7 10.Nd3)

10... f5Black · your move

Launch your f-pawn to f5. This is the move you have been preparing for. You are opening lines against the White king and starting a direct assault that will define the rest of the game.

Where you stand

The position is now a classic race. White will expand on the queenside with c5 and b4, aiming to break through and create a passed pawn. Black will push f4 and g5, aiming for a direct checkmating attack on the White king. Every move from here is a matter of speed and precision in this high-tension struggle.

• e1-d3 Relocate knight to support queenside expansion
• c4-c5 Pawn break to open the queenside
• f5-f4 Lock the kingside and start the hunt
• g6-g4 Pawn storm to rip open the king
• f8-f6 Rook lift to join the kingside attack