English Opening: King's Indian Defense
1.c4 g6 2.Nc3 Bg7 3.g3 e5 · A10–A14
Part of English Opening
Starting positionWhite to move
0 / 12
Both bishops face a blocked centre
- 1.
- 2.
- 3.
- 4.
- 5.
- 6.
The idea
Black meets the English with a kingside fianchetto and ...e5, while White also fianchettoes and chooses a flexible pawn centre. This is a King's Indian-style setup, not a colour-reversed King's Indian.
Main line: 1.c4 g6 2.Nc3 Bg7 3.g3 e5 4.Bg2 d6 5.e4 Nc6 6.Nge2 Be6
What White wants
- Use c4 and a timely e4 to contest d5
- Develop with g3, Bg2 and d3 before choosing a pawn break
- Choose f4 or queenside expansion according to Black's central setup
What Black wants
- Fianchetto and play ...e5 and ...Nc6 for central control
- Attack on the kingside with ...f5 if White castles short
- Trade into a position with no weaknesses
Key idea
Understand this and the moves stop needing to be memorised.
Both bishops face a blocked centre
Black's ...e5 and ...d6 claim central space, while White's e4 and c4 control d5. The bishops on g2 and g7 need pawn exchanges to gain scope. Neither side inherits a fixed wing attack: central breaks and piece placement determine where to play.
Common mistake
Copying a King's Indian pawn storm without checking the centre. White's c4 and e4 setup differs from a normal d4–e4 centre; support the intended f4 or d4 break and complete development before committing to an attack on either wing.
Representative position
The position this opening is aiming at. Copy the FEN, or open it in the analysis board and let the engine tell you what it is worth.
r2qk1nr/ppp2pbp/2npb1p1/4p3/2P1P3/2N3P1/PP1PNPBP/R1BQK2R w KQkq - 3 7
Analyze this position