Learn
The big idea
What the King's Indian Defence is really about.
A fighting, hypermodern defence. Rather than occupying the centre at once, Black fianchettoes the bishop on g7, lets White build a big pawn centre, and then counterattacks it — usually with ...e5. Black concedes space to launch a kingside attack, and the result is sharp, double-edged chess where both sides race on opposite wings.
- White's plan: Build and hold the broad d4/c4/e4 pawn centre, gain queenside space with moves like b4 and c5, and attack where there is more room while keeping the centre under control.
- Black's plan: Fianchetto with ...g6 and ...Bg7, castle, and strike at White's centre with ...e5 (or ...c5); when the centre locks, storm the kingside with ...f5, ...f4 and a pawn avalanche toward the white king.
The centre locks (White's d5 against Black's e5). Where does Black attack?
Answer the question to keep going!