A05-A08

King's Indian Attack

20 named lines in this family, ECO A05-A08. Under each line you get its moves and the sentences it adds that this page has not already printed. A line's own page carries up to its first 4 per-move notes in full.

Main line, after 1... Nf6A05

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 d5

In the centre, Black holds d5.

• 1. Nf3 Develops the knight to f3, eyeing d4 and e5. Theory calls this the Zukertort Opening.
• 1... Nf6 Develops the knight to f6, eyeing d5 and e4.
• 2. g3 Prepares the fianchetto: the bishop will take the long diagonal via g2.
• 2... d5 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling e4, and frees the bishop and queen. Theory calls this the King's Indian Attack.

Spassky VariationA05

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 b5

No pawn stands on d4, e4, d5 or e5 - this line is played with the centre squares empty.

• 2... b5 Opens the c8-a6 diagonal for the bishop. Theory calls this the Spassky Variation.

Symmetrical DefenseA05

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 g6

• 2... g6 Prepares the fianchetto: the bishop will take the long diagonal via g7. Theory calls this the Symmetrical Defense.

Smyslov VariationA05

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 g6 3. b4

Wahls DefenseA05

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 g6 3. Bg2 Bg7 4. O-O O-O 5. d3 d5

White's kingside bishop takes the long diagonal and Black's kingside bishop takes the long diagonal.

Main line, after 1... d5A07

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3

Double FianchettoA07

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 g6

• 2... g6 Theory calls this the Double Fianchetto.

Keres Variation, after 2... Bg4, through 2... Bg4A07

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Bg4

• 2... Bg4 Develops the bishop with tempo - it attacks the knight on f3. Theory calls this the Keres Variation.

Omega-Delta GambitA07

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 e5

In the centre, Black holds d5 and e5.

• 2... e5 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling d4, and frees the bishop and queen. The pawn is genuinely on offer - this is the Omega-Delta Gambit: development and initiative over material.

Sicilian Variation, after 1. Nf3, through 2... c5A07

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 c5

• 2... c5 Fights for d4 from the flank - contesting the centre without committing a centre pawn. Theory calls this the Sicilian Variation.

Keres Variation, after 2... Bg4, through 3... Nd7A07

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Bg4 3. Bg2 Nd7

White's kingside bishop takes the long diagonal.

Keres Variation, after 2... c6, through 4... Nd7A07

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 c6 3. Bg2 Bg4 4. O-O Nd7

• 2... c6 Fights for d5 from the flank - contesting the centre without committing a centre pawn.

Yugoslav Variation, after 1. Nf3A07

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 c6 4. O-O Bg4

Yugoslav Variation, after 1. c4A07

1. c4 e6 2. Nf3 d5 3. g3 Nf6 4. Bg2 b6 5. O-O

• 1. c4 Theory calls this the English Opening.
• 1... e6 Supports the centre, adding control of d5. Theory calls this the Agincourt Defense.

Pachman SystemA07

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 g6 3. Bg2 Bg7 4. O-O e5 5. d3 Ne7

Keres Variation, after 2... c6, through 8... Bd6A07

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 c6 3. Bg2 Bg4 4. O-O Nd7 5. d4 Ngf6 6. c4 e6 7. cxd5 exd5 8. Nc3 Bd6

An early pawn trade leaves the c-file as White's avenue and the e-file as Black's - both sides get real winning chances down their own file.

Sicilian Variation, after 1. Nf3, through 3. Bg2A08

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 c5 3. Bg2

French VariationA08

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 c5 3. Bg2 Nc6

Sicilian Variation, after 1. Nf3, through 5. d3A08

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 c5 3. Bg2 Nf6 4. O-O e6 5. d3

Sicilian Variation, after 1. e4, through 8. Re1A08

1. e4 e6 2. d3 d5 3. Nd2 Nf6 4. Ngf3 c5 5. g3 Nc6 6. Bg2 Be7 7. O-O O-O 8. Re1

The pawns on d5 and e4 stand in direct tension - the first player to resolve it chooses the structure.

• 1. e4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling d5, and frees the bishop and queen.
• 1... e6 Theory calls this the French Defense.
• 2. d3 Supports the centre, adding control of e4.

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