King's Indian: Classical: main line, ideas and how to practise it
Against 1.d4 as Black. A main line to learn move by move, with the idea behind each key move.
The main line
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 e5 7. O-O Nc6 8. d5 Ne7
You play Black. In the analyzer's drill the other side's moves are played for you and Stockfish checks each of yours.
Practise it with free drillsAnalyze one of your own games
The ideas behind the moves
- 2... g6: Fianchetto: let White build a centre, then attack it.
- 6... e5: The key King's Indian break.
- 8... Ne7: With the centre closed, the knight reroutes to support ...f5 and a kingside attack.
Legends who played it
- Tigran Petrosian: 221 games in the King's Indian Defense, 71% score
- Mikhail Tal: 171 games in the King's Indian Defense, 69% score
- Garry Kasparov: 158 games in the King's Indian Defense, 66% score
- Anatoly Karpov: 113 games in the King's Indian Defense, 69% score
- Magnus Carlsen: 113 games in the King's Indian Defense, 58% score
- Bobby Fischer: 107 games in the King's Indian Defense, 61% score
- Mikhail Botvinnik: 68 games in the King's Indian Defense, 63% score
- Alexander Alekhine: 23 games in the King's Indian Defense, 78% score
More openings to learn
- Italian Game: Giuoco Pianissimo
1.e4 e5 for White - Ruy Lopez: Closed
1.e4 e5 for White - Scotch Game
1.e4 e5 for White - Queen's Gambit Declined: Orthodox
1.d4 for White - London System
1.d4 for White - Sicilian Najdorf: English Attack
Against 1.e4 as Black - Caro-Kann: Classical
Against 1.e4 as Black - French Defence: Advance
Against 1.e4 as Black - Scandinavian Defence
Against 1.e4 as Black - Queen's Gambit Declined: Tartakower
Against 1.d4 as Black