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Ponderchess / Openings

King's Indian Attack

1.Nf3 d5 2.g3. White builds a King's Indian with colours reversed: Nf3, g3, Bg2, O-O, d3, Nbd2 and e4, then attacks on the kingside.

Watch it in 3D

3D lesson · 12 steps · 60 seconds

The King's Indian Attack in 3D

King's Indian Attack: Pachman System, move by move: Nf3 d5 g3 g6 Bg2 Bg7 O-O e5 …

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Key ideas

  • The KIA is a system rather than a fixed line, so it can be played against many Black setups. It is especially popular against French-type structures with ...e6 and ...d5 and Sicilian-type structures with ...c5, the French and Sicilian Variations.
  • After e4-e5 White's pawn cramps Black's kingside and supports a slow attack with Re1, Nf1, h4, Bf4 and a knight to h2 and g4. Black races on the queenside with ...b5-b4 and ...a5-a4.
  • Black can avoid that structure by developing the bishop early. The Keres Variation (2...Bg4) and setups with ...c6 and ...Bf5 or ...Bg4 give Black a solid, Slav-like position.
  • If Black builds a classical centre with ...e5, the game resembles a King's Indian Defense with colours reversed and an extra tempo for White.

Plans for White

Complete the setup and prepare e4. Against ...e6 structures, gain space with e5 and attack on the kingside with h4 and Nf1-h2-g4.

Plans for Black

Take space on the queenside with ...c5, ...Nc6, ...b5 and ...a5 to create counterplay before White's attack arrives, or develop the light-squared bishop early and keep a solid centre with ...c6 and ...e6.