King's Indian Defense · E60

Semi-Classical Variation, Hollywood Variation

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. c4 Bg7 4. Nc3 O-O 5. e3 d6 6. Be2 Nc6

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. Nf3 Develops the knight to f3, eyeing d4 and e5. It also props up the d4 pawn. Theory calls this the Knights Variation.
• 2... g6 Prepares the fianchetto: the bishop will take the long diagonal via g7. Theory calls this the East Indian Defense.

Sign in to read every move's note and train this line — 8 more moves in this line, 12 in all.