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King's Indian Defence for Black

The King's Indian set-up: , , and . You let White build a centre with pawns on c4, d4 and e4, then strike at it with the break. If White closes the centre with , you first slow down White's queenside advance and then attack on the kingside with . And a plan against each frequent White system: against the Sämisch (the system with ) and against the fianchetto.

30 lines in 3 chapters.

The first lesson is free. The rest of the course opens with Premium:

The plans in this course

The central break

Strike White's centre and claim your share with a pawn.

With , and already played and White's pawns on c4, d4 and e4, attacks the d4 pawn and gives you your share of the centre. If White exchanges with , you recapture with and your e5 pawn controls the d4 square. If White pushes , the centre is closed and you know where to attack: on the kingside, after slowing down White's queenside advance. Castle before the break if White's knight is already on f3: with your king still on e8, after your king has to recapture, loses castling, and takes your pawn.

7 in 10 masters choose it here.See dataHide

Over-the-board games, 2300+: 70% of 1,567. Online, 2200+: 68% of 3,784.

Attacking on the kingside

Attack White's king once the centre is closed.

When White closes the centre with and your pawn is on e5, each side attacks on one wing: White on the queenside and you on the kingside. Your tool is the f7 pawn: hits the e4 pawn. First you have to move the f6 knight, which blocks that pawn, with , , or . Then prepares the advance of your pawns against White's king.

5 in 10 masters choose it here.See dataHide

Over-the-board games, 2300+: 45% of 1,045. Online, 2200+: 55% of 2,327.

A quick strike at the centre

Hit the centre before White finishes developing.

In the Sämisch, White plays to protect the e4 pawn. That pawn takes the f3 square away from the g1 knight and slows down White's development. Use that delay: hit the centre early with or , without spending time on slow moves. If White answers with , keeps attacking the centre.

7 in 10 masters choose it here.See dataHide

Over-the-board games, 2300+: 73% of 265. Online, 2200+: 79% of 935.

The centre against the fianchetto

Claim your share of the centre despite the g2 bishop.

When White puts the bishop on g2, it aims along the long diagonal at your queenside. Even so, gives you your share of the centre, and can complete it by blocking the bishop's path. To prepare , first develop your queen's knight with or : from there it supports the e5 square. Avoid before you have played : with the centre still open it weakens the e6 square and opens the diagonal to your king. If White closes the centre with , becomes your plan again.

6 in 10 masters choose it here.See dataHide

Over-the-board games, 2300+: 62% of 617. Online, 2200+: 57% of 1,287.

If White develops the knight to c3 after

0 of 16 done

You will learn to complete your set-up, to break with after castling, to prepare your kingside attack if White closes with , and to strike with when White plays .

The most common mistake, on move 5; 1 players in 100 play it. strikes the centre before you castle, and White trades queens on d8. After , you have lost the e5 pawn and your king is stuck on d8, unable to castle.

The central breakAttacking on the kingsideA quick strike at the centreThe centre against the fianchetto

  1. NextIf comes after the knightThe central break6 moves of yoursStart
  2. Not startedIf White starts with The central break6 moves of yoursPaid
  3. Not startedIf comes before the knightThe central break7 moves of yoursPaid
  4. Not startedIf White takes with The central break5 moves of yoursPaid
  5. Not startedIf with the bishop on d3A quick strike at the centre6 moves of yoursPaid
  6. Not startedIf White fianchettoes: The centre against the fianchetto6 moves of yoursPaid
  7. Not startedIf White trades with The central break9 moves of yoursPaid
  8. Not startedIf with the bishop on e3A quick strike at the centre9 moves of yoursPaid
  9. Not startedIf White pins with The central break9 moves of yoursPaid
  10. Not startedIf White takes with The central break7 moves of yoursPaid
  11. Not startedIf White guards e4 with The central break8 moves of yoursPaid
  12. Not startedIf White starts with A quick strike at the centre4 moves of yoursPaid
  13. Not startedIf the bishop comes first: The central break6 moves of yoursPaid
  14. Not startedIf White guards d4 with The central break8 moves of yoursPaid
  15. Not startedIf White plays uncastledThe central break6 moves of yoursPaid
  16. Not startedIf hits your queenThe central break10 moves of yoursPaid

If White develops the knight to f3 after

You will learn to prepare with or when White's bishop goes to g2, and what to do if White answers with or .

The most common mistake, on move 5; 1 players in 100 play it. strikes the centre before you castle, and White trades queens on d8. After , you have lost the e5 pawn and your king is stuck on d8, unable to castle.

The central breakThe centre against the fianchetto

If White prepares a fianchetto after

You will learn to prepare with or and, if the centre opens with , to press e4 with and .

The central breakThe centre against the fianchetto