King's Indian Attack

The King's Indian Defence, played by White with a tempo in hand

Fianchetto
Set-up systems

White builds the set-up Black usually chooses in the King's Indian Defence: pawns on g3, d3 and e4, a bishop on g2, castling. It is less a fixed list of moves than a system that can be set up against many defences. The idea is to fix the space gain with e5 and attack the king on the kingside while Black looks for play on the queenside.

Interactive Opening Board

7…Nc6

♚

Black

♔

White

7…Nc6

Speed:

Moves

(14 plies • 7 moves)

7…Nc6Tabiya

1–7moves
#WhiteBlack
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Defining move

2.g3 — the bishop heads for the long diagonal

The move that begins the kingside fianchetto

The g3 pawn prepares Bg2, and the bishop eyes the centre from a distance without getting into exchanges. White does not occupy the centre with pawns yet: castling comes first, then d3 and e4. The position stays flexible.

Tabiya

The classical set-up

White has pawns on d3 and e4, knights on f3 and d2, a bishop on g2 and has castled. Black has answered with d5, e6, c5 and Nc6. White's next steps are Re1, e5 and an advance on the kingside, often with h4. Black waits for a moment to switch the game with …d4 or a break on the queenside.

White’s plan

Play e4 and e5 to drive back the f6 knight and take space.
Put a rook on e1 and attack on the kingside, often with h4.
Watch for …d4 and keep the pieces centralised.

Black’s plan

Take the centre with d5 and c5 and not let White play e4 in peace.
Start play on the queenside while White prepares the attack.
Answer e5 in time, with …Nd7 and a blow at the pawn chain.

History

The set-up became fashionable in the middle of the twentieth century, when grandmasters came to appreciate the King's Indian Defence. Bobby Fischer was among its best-known users. Today it is seen less often at the top, but it remains popular in club games.

Notable players

Bobby Fischer

Games in the Atlas

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