King's Indian DefenseE85

Sämisch Variation, Orthodox Variation

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3 O-O 6. Be3 e5

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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. e4e4 occupies the center.
... d6d6 controls e5.
5. f3f3 controls e4.
... O-OO-O castles short, tucking the king away and connecting the rooks.
6. Be3Be3 develops the bishop and controls d4.
... e5e5 strikes at the center.

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Other major variations

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

Sämisch Variation, Orthodox Variation (E85) · King's Indian Defense · OpeningMate