Openings Guide / 1.d4 — Closed and Semi-Closed Games
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.
| Variation | Moves |
|---|---|
| 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 |