What are the key ideas in the King's Indian Attack?

System opening: Nf3, g3, Bg2, 0-0, d3, Nbd2, e4 Works against French, Sicilian, and many other structures Bobby Fischer's favorite White system

What are White's main plans in the King's Indian Attack?

Set up Nf3, g3, Bg2, 0-0, d3, Nbd2 Play e4 and e5 to gain kingside space Transfer a knight to the kingside for an attack (Nf1-e3/h4) Push h4-h5 in some lines for a direct attack

What are Black's main plans in the King's Indian Attack?

Develop solidly and fight for the center Play …c5 and …Nc6 for queenside activity Prevent e4-e5 if possible

ECO A07–A08beginner

King's Indian Attack

1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2

A system for White — the same setup works against almost anything.

Famous practitioners: Bobby Fischer, Levon Aronian

Starting position

0 / 5 moves

Key Ideas

♟System opening: Nf3, g3, Bg2, 0-0, d3, Nbd2, e4
♟Works against French, Sicilian, and many other structures
♟Bobby Fischer's favorite White system

♔ Plans for White

—Set up Nf3, g3, Bg2, 0-0, d3, Nbd2
—Play e4 and e5 to gain kingside space
—Transfer a knight to the kingside for an attack (Nf1-e3/h4)
—Push h4-h5 in some lines for a direct attack

♚ Plans for Black

—Develop solidly and fight for the center
—Play …c5 and …Nc6 for queenside activity
—Prevent e4-e5 if possible

⚠️ Common Traps & Pitfalls

e5 Space Grab

Once White achieves e5, the position can become very cramping for Black. Prevention is key.

📍 Critical Positions

King's Indian Attack Setup

White will play Bg2, 0-0, d3, Nbd2: a universal system that's hard to defuse.

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Related Openings

English Opening

1.c4

Control the center from the flank — flexible and positional.

Réti Opening

1.Nf3 d5 2.c4

Hypermodern flexibility — develop knights before pawns.

Catalan Opening

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3

Fianchetto the bishop and squeeze — a modern grandmaster favorite.

Bird's Opening

1.f4

An aggressive flank opener — seize e5 and attack the kingside.