King's Indian Defense · E79

Four Pawns Attack, Exchange Variation

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f4 O-O 6. Nf3 c5 7. Be2 cxd4 8. Nxd4 Nc6 9. Be3

An early pawn trade leaves the c-file as Black's avenue and the d-file as White's - both sides get real winning chances down their own file. Black's kingside bishop takes the long diagonal. Black concedes the centre on purpose, fianchettoes on g7, then slams ...e5: when the centre locks, Black storms the kingside with ...f5-f4 while White races on the queenside.

The first 4 moves, explained

• 1. d4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling e5, and frees the bishop and queen.
• 1... Nf6 Develops the knight to f6, eyeing d5 and e4.
• 2. c4 Fights for d5 from the flank - contesting the centre without committing a centre pawn.
• 2... g6 Prepares the fianchetto: the bishop will take the long diagonal via g7. Theory calls this the West Indian Defense.

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