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Ponderchess / Openings

King's Indian Defense

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6. Black lets White build a big centre, then strikes at it with ...e5 or ...c5 while the bishop on g7 waits on the long diagonal.

Watch it in 3D

3D lesson · 14 steps · 50 seconds

The King's Indian in 3D

Let White build a big centre, then strike it.

Preparing your opening…

Key ideas

  • In the Classical main line the centre locks after d5. White then attacks on the queenside with c5, while Black storms the kingside with ...f5, ...f4 and ...g5.
  • The race between the two attacks makes the King's Indian one of the most double-edged openings. Kasparov and Fischer both used it with great success.

Plans for White

Use your space. In locked positions, play on the queenside with b4 and c5; in open ones, use your central pawns.

Plans for Black

Strike with ...e5, and when the centre locks, launch the kingside pawn storm quickly.

Main variations of the King's Indian Defense