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1.d4 — Closed and Semi-Closed Games · E60

King's Indian Defense

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 0-0

The King's Indian Defense is one of the most dynamic and exciting openings in chess. Black allows White to build a dominant pawn center and then counterattacks with ...e5 or ...c5. It was the signature weapon of Bobby Fischer and Garry Kasparov — players who demanded maximum winning chances.

The King's Indian leads to sharp, unbalanced positions with clear plans for both sides. White attacks on the queenside; Black storms the kingside. The Classical (6.Be2 e5), the Sämisch (6.Be3 e5 7.d5), the Four Pawns Attack (6.f4), and the Averbakh (6.Bg5) are the main White systems.

Pros

• Dynamic, counterattacking chess — Black fights for a win
• Clear plans on both sides
• Used by the most aggressive World Champions in history
• Great tactical complications

Cons

• White can gain a large space advantage
• Requires comfort with accepting positional pressure before counterattacking
• Some lines are extremely sharp and require precise memory

Main variations

• Classical Variation — 6.Be2 e5 7.0-0 Nc6 8.d5
• Sämisch Variation — 6.Be3 e5 7.d5 Nh5 8.Qd2
• Four Pawns Attack — 6.f4 c5 7.d5
• Averbakh Variation — 6.Bg5 h6 7.Be3
• Yugoslav Attack — 6.Be2 e5 7.Be3 Ng4