King’s Indian Defense

The King’s Indian Defense is a popular hypermodern chess opening that arises after the following moves:

1. d4 Nf6
2. c4 g6

Black gives up central control and allows White to expand control while Black develops minor pieces. Nf6 is a great move to play against the common d4, and the reason is that this usually allows Black to be more active in the opening. This is also one of the most solid defenses where Black builds a strong defense around his King and chooses to counter-attack according to the best opportunity at hand. Black usually strikes back after White has gained space and central control and has overexerted the White pawns.

Theory

The most common options for White on the third move are – 3. Nc3, 3. Nf3, 3. G3, simultaneously Black intends on playing Bg7 and d6. If Black plays d5, this will branch into the Grunfeld Defense. Black deliberately gives central control to allow White to control the centre with pawns, and Black waits for the right time to counter-attack. If both sides play the first few moves right, it results in an unbalanced position providing scope for Both sides to win. 

History and Origin

Concept of the Opening

Mainline

The main line of the King’s Indian Defense arises after the following moves:

 The Classical Variation under the mainline continues as:

The Classical Variation further branches out into the following variations:

This variation continues with the following moves:

On the 9th move, White has a lot of options to play like – b4 (Bayonet Attack), Ne1 or Nd2. Usually, White tries to attack the Queenside by playing moves like c5, while Black will try to attack the Kingside by playing moves like Nd7 followed by f5 and g5 and so on.

2. Petrosian Variation

3. The Gilgoric System

This variation is marked by White playing Be3 on the 7th move, named after the World Champion Candidate – Svetozar Gligorić. The idea behind this variation was to avoid theoretical lines, and Be3 allows White to maintain pressure in the centre. Most often, Black responds to Be3 with the following moves:

4. The Exchange Variation

7. dxe5 dxe5
8. Qxd8 Rxd8

Here White exchanges Queens for safe advantage, and the position remains relatively calm. This line is played by players fishing for a draw, and White players try to exploit d6 by playing moves like b4 and c5. Simultaneously, Black will play to control the d4 square.

Variations

Four Pawns Attack

Samisch Variation

This variation is named after Friedrich Sämisch, where the game leads to a position where White and Black castles on opposite sides and Black can play moves like e5, c5 and b5. This variation can transpose into the Modern Benoni if the following moves are played:

5. 0-0 
6. Bg5 c5 
7. d5 e6

This variation allows White to promote a kingside attack with moves like Be3 and Qd2.  The Samisch Gambit begins if White plays Be3 on the 6th move and Black responds by sacrificing a pawn by playing c5

Fianchetto Variation

This variation is called so because the White Bishop comes to g2 on the 6th move. This is a solid variation where Black’s usual Kingside attack would fail due to the White Bishop on g2. Further Black plans to gain central control by playing e5.

Averbakh Variation

This variation prevents Black from playing e5, and Black usually responds to the White Bishop by playing h6. White can follow this by developing his pieces with moves like f4, Qd2 and Nf3. 

Traps

Nakamura played this trap against Magnus Carlsen, and he was one of the first to fall for this trap, where the point of this trap is to prevent e5. 

Statistics

Famous Games

Step by Step Learning Process

Books to Refer

FAQ

Why should a player play the King’s Indian Defense?

The King’s Indian Defense is the best response for Black to White’s d4 and allows Black to pose an attack on White’s Kingside while allowing White to pose an attack on Black’s Queenside, allowing both sides to take part in active play. Further, the opening is flexible and versatile and gives you the opportunity to venture into multiple variations.

Is the King’s Indian Defense good for Beginners?

The usual response Beginner’s go for is d5, to White’s d4, but some Beginners could explore this line to branch into further variations.