King's Indian Defense (for Black)

The King's Indian Defense (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6) lets White build a big pawn center in order to attack it later. It is a counterattacking opening, much loved by fighting players.

The principle

Black castles quickly behind the fianchettoed bishop, then strikes at the center with the e5 or c5 push. When White closes the center with the d5 push, each side attacks on its own wing: White on the queenside, Black on the kingside with the f5 push.

The main line: the Classical Variation

5.Nf3 O-O 6.Be2 e5 7.O-O Nc6 8.d5 Ne7 9.Ne1 Nd7 10.Nd3 f5. The race is on: White's knight on d3 supports the c5 push on the queenside, while Black throws the kingside pawns at White's king.

Main variations

• Sämisch Variation: 5.f3 O-O 6.Be3 e5 7.d5. The f3 pawn reinforces e4; White can later castle queenside and attack Black's king.
• Four Pawns Attack: 5.f4 O-O 6.Nf3 c5 7.d5 e6. White grabs as much space as possible; Black must hit that center very quickly.
• Fianchetto Variation: 3.Nf3 Bg7 4.g3 O-O 5.Bg2 d6 6.O-O. A positional approach where White's bishop on g2 neutralizes the long diagonal.

Typical mistakes

With Black, trading the g7 bishop too early weakens your king: it is your best piece. With White, don't leave your center without support: it becomes a target.

Coach's advice

When the center is closed, count the tempi: whoever attacks faster on their wing often wins the race. Click the colored moves to see each line, then ask me your questions.

Main line

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 O-O 6.Be2 e5 7.O-O Nc6 8.d5 Ne7 9.Ne1 Nd7 10.Nd3 f5