King's Indian Attack
ECO A07, A05 · 1. Nf3 d5 2. g3
The King's Indian Attack is a setup for White with Nf3, g3, Bg2, O-O, d3, Nbd2 and e4. It is the King's Indian Defense with colors reversed and an extra tempo, popularized by Bobby Fischer.
Plans for White
White builds the setup, then plays e5 to gain space and attacks on the kingside with h4, Nf1-h2 and a pawn storm. It is especially popular against French and Sicilian setups.
Plans for Black
Black usually counters on the queenside with ...c5, ...b5 and ...b4, or opens the center with ...dxe4.
Typical pawn structures
White's e5 pawn wedge against Black's d5 and e6 is the typical structure, giving a race on opposite wings.
Who it suits
Players who want a single setup against almost any defense and enjoy kingside attacks with a solid structure behind them. It needs little theory but a good understanding of plans.
Common traps
Black can be mated quickly if the kingside is neglected after e5; White must not ignore Black's queenside storm.
Variations
- King's Indian Attack: Double Fianchetto — 1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 g6
- King's Indian Attack: Keres Variation — 1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Bg4
- King's Indian Attack: Omega-Delta Gambit — 1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 e5
- King's Indian Attack: Sicilian Variation — 1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 c5
- King's Indian Attack: Spassky Variation — 1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 b5
- King's Indian Attack: Symmetrical Defense — 1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 g6
- King's Indian Attack: Smyslov Variation — 1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 g6 3. b4
- King's Indian Attack, with e6 — 1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 e6
- King's Indian Attack: French Variation — 1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 c5 3. Bg2 Nc6
- King's Indian Attack, with Bf5 — 1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 c6 4. O-O Bf5
- King's Indian Attack: Yugoslav Variation — 1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 c6 4. O-O Bg4
- King's Indian Attack: Pachman System — 1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 g6 3. Bg2 Bg7 4. O-O e5 5. d3 Ne7
- King's Indian Attack: Wahls Defense — 1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 g6 3. Bg2 Bg7 4. O-O O-O 5. d3 d5