Indian defenses

King's Indian Defense

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3

The King's Indian Defense starts with 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 and is catalogued under ECO E61, in the indian defenses half of the book. The catalog indexes 119 lines inside it, grouped into 109 named variations, and the position after those moves has 2 playable continuations to walk from here.

Opening repertoire map

Root edges show how often each move is played around your Elo. Use the arrow on a position to reveal the next replies.

Current position
King's Indian Defense: Fianchetto Variation, Immediate Fianchetto
Popularity by Elo
Share of Lichess blitz, rapid, and classical games that continued with each move.
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Current setup

Move ideas

  1. 1.d4

    Takes central space with a protected pawn and frees the queen’s bishop.

    Idea: Build a stable center that supports a broad positional setup.

  2. 1Nf6

    Develops a knight and prevents White from occupying e4 unchallenged.

    Idea: Keep the central pawns flexible and choose an Indian setup after White commits.

  3. 2.c4

    Advances the c-pawn to gain queenside space and control new squares.

    Idea: Create useful wing space while keeping the central structure flexible.

  4. 2g6

    Advances the g-pawn to gain kingside space and control new squares.

    Idea: Create useful wing space while keeping the central structure flexible.

  5. 3.g3

    Advances the g-pawn to gain kingside space and control new squares.

    Idea: Create useful wing space while keeping the central structure flexible.

Book continuations

Waiting for Lichess game popularity.

2 moves

Named variations

Each line below is an indexed entry under King's Indian Defense. Open one to load it on the board and keep exploring from that position.

85 more named lines sit inside this family — the tree above walks all of them.

ECO groups openings by the structures they lead to, so these families tend to share plans with the King's Indian Defense.