King's Indian DefenseE61

Semi-Classical Variation

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. Nf3 O-O 5. e3 d6 6. Be2

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Every move explained, never a dead end.

Both sides plans

White's plan

Occupy the center, develop quickly, castle, then pick a wing.

Black's plan

Contest the center before White occupies all of it.

The line, move by move

1. d4d4 occupies the center.
... Nf6Nf6 develops the knight and controls e4 and d5.
2. c4c4 controls d5.
... g6g6 repositions the pawn.
3. Nc3Nc3 develops the knight and controls e4 and d5.
... Bg7Bg7 develops the bishop.
4. Nf3Nf3 develops the knight and controls d4 and e5.
... O-OO-O castles short, tucking the king away and connecting the rooks.
5. e3e3 controls d4.
... d6d6 controls e5.
6. Be2Be2 develops the bishop.

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Other major variations

The complete King's Indian Defense guide See all 119 variations in the branch map

Semi-Classical Variation (E61) · King's Indian Defense · OpeningMate