ECO E61 · for Black
King's Indian Defense
The line below is what Lichess 1600-1800 players actually play: after the opening's defining moves, each move is the most common choice at that point. The notes are Chessbook's move notes, the same ones shown while building a repertoire.
4,736,483 games in this band reached the King's Indian Defense position. From there Black won 47% and drew 4%.
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 Nbd7 7. O-O e5 8. d5 Nc5 9. Qc2 a5
Moves 1 to 2
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6
1. d4
The Queen's Pawn opening is more usually more positional in nature, White intends to develop the pieces while having a share of the center.
1... Nf6
Preventing e4 while developing a piece.
2. c4
Controlling some central squares using a flank pawn before playing Nc3
2... g6
Aiming to fianchetto the bishop on g7, which can lead to the King's Indian Defense or the Grunfeld Defense. This move also prepares for a potential kingside castle.
Moves 3 to 4
3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6
3. Nc3
Developing the knight to a natural square, preparing to control the center with e4 and also allowing the c1 bishop to develop.
3... Bg7
Black Fianchettoes his Dark Squared Bishop.
4. e4
White occupies the whole center since Black did not care to prevent him from doing so.
- 4. Nf3: Developing the knight and strengthening control over the center.
4... d6
Preventing e5, and later going to challenge the center.
- 4... O-O: Castling kingside, Black's plan is to challenge White's center with d6, e5, and later launch an attack on the white king.
Moves 5 to 6
5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 Nbd7
5. Nf3
White has very strong central pawns that are overprotected by the knights.
- 5. f4: Gaining space in the center and restricting Black's central break of e5.
- 5. f3: Choosing to delay development and instead strengthen the center.
5... O-O
Castling kingside, getting the king to safety and intending to later play e5 and f5 for a kingside attack.
6. Be2
Developing the bishop and getting ready to castle kingside followed up by queenside expansion.
6... Nbd7
- 6... e5: Actively breaking in the center and not losing a pawn due to tactical resources.
Moves 7 to 8
7. O-O e5 8. d5 Nc5
7. O-O
7... e5
8. d5
8... Nc5
Move 9
9. Qc2 a5
9. Qc2
9... a5
Plans for Black in this position
What Black usually does from here in Chessbook's games data. Hover a move to see it on the board.
- The knight on f6 can move to h5 or d7
- Common pawn moves are h6, g5, f5, f4, and b6
Related opening guides
- Sicilian Defense for Black
- French Defense for Black
- Scandinavian Defense for Black
- Caro-Kann Defense for Black
- Scandinavian Defense: Mieses-Kotroc Variation for Black
- Philidor Defense for Black