King's Indian Attack
1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 e6 · A07–A08
Part of Réti Opening
Starting positionWhite to move
0 / 14
Same position, every game
- 1.
- 2.
- 3.
- 4.
- 5.
- 6.
- 7.
The idea
A complete opening system: fianchetto, castle, then play e4 and attack on the kingside with the pieces, whatever Black does.
Main line: 1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 e6 4.O-O Be7 5.d3 O-O 6.Nbd2 c5 7.e4 Nc6
What White wants
- Set up the pieces on their ideal squares and then choose a plan
- Play e4 and attack with e5, Re1, Nf1-g3 and h4
- Avoid early pawn commitments in the centre
What Black wants
- Claim queenside space with ...b5, ...b4 and ...c4
- Trade off the g2 bishop or block the diagonal
- Play ...dxe4 and ...e5 to open the centre on good terms
Key idea
Understand this and the moves stop needing to be memorised.
Same position, every game
The KIA deliberately reaches the same structure against the French, the Sicilian, the Caro-Kann and 1...d5. Fewer variations to learn means more time spent on the middlegame plans that actually decide the games.
Common mistake
Following the system automatically without responding to Black's queenside play. The example's e5 and Re1 are normal attacking moves, not a lost pawn; White must judge whether the centre holds and whether Black's ...b5 expansion requires a practical defensive move.
Mistake example: b5.
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.
r1bq1rk1/pp2bppp/2n1pn2/2pp4/4P3/3P1NP1/PPPN1PBP/R1BQ1RK1 w - - 1 8
Analyze this position