King's Indian Defense: Semi-Classical Variation
White uses a modest e-pawn advance and completes quiet development. Because White has not built the usual large e4 center, Black should reassess the pawn breaks instead of assuming the familiar locked-center attack.
Your plan as White
Use your central space and choose a plan according to whether Black closes or opens the center.
The opponent’s plan
Fianchetto, castle and challenge the center with ...e5 or ...c5. Attack only when the structure supports it.
Watch out: A kingside attack is not automatic in every King's Indian structure.
Opening game…
Practice this line as White.
Play three moves from the line you watched. Hints draw an arrow on the board. Complete a fresh attempt without hints or retries to pass.
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Name, background and sources
Acceptance of hypermodern ideas helped this defense develop. Bronstein, Fischer and Kasparov were among its influential practitioners.
Read the opening background on Chess.com ↗Lichess opening names and reference lines (CC0)
ChessSum provides original explanatory notes. Related lines are labeled separately. Reference lines illustrate ideas; they are not a claim that every other legal move is wrong.
Watch how the center and piece development change. Each arrow previews the next move.