Zukertort Defense · A04

Kingside Variation

1. Nf3 Nh6 2. d4 g6

In the centre, White holds d4.

The first 4 moves, explained

• 1. Nf3 Develops the knight to f3, eyeing d4 and e5. Theory calls this the Zukertort Opening.
• 1... Nh6 Develops the knight to h6. It backs up the pawn on f7.
• 2. d4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling e5, and frees the bishop and queen.
• 2... g6 Prepares the fianchetto: the bishop will take the long diagonal via g7. Theory calls this the Kingside Variation.

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