The King's Indian is a popular and dynamic chess opening played by Black. It begins with the moves 1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.Nf3 g6. The King's Indian is characterized by Black's pawn structure, with pawns on d6, e5, and g6, and a flexible piece placement that allows for a strong counterattack against White's central control. Black typically aims to develop their pieces on the kingside and launch a pawn storm against White's position. The King's Indian can lead to a highly tactical game with plenty of opportunities for creative play. However, it also requires careful calculation and strategic planning, as White may attempt to exploit Black's weaknesses on the queenside. The King's Indian has been a favorite of many chess players throughout history, including Bobby Fischer and Garry Kasparov, and is still played at the highest levels of the game today.
Watch the videos below by Magnus Carlsen, GothamChess and Hikaru to master the King's Indian!
Learn the King's Indian defense in 10 minutes by GothamChess.
Learn the King's Indian defense with Hikaru.
A King's Indian Defense Lesson from Hikaru.
Magnus Carlsen shows how to play the King's Indian Defense.