E61

King's Indian Defense

Key moves: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6

The King's Indian Defence is one of the most dynamic and combative responses to 1.d4. Black allows White to build a big centre, then counterattacks it with ...e5 or ...c5. The resulting positions are among the most complex and double-edged in chess.

History & Notable Players

Became a major weapon in the 1950s through David Bronstein and later Bobby Fischer. Garry Kasparov made it his primary weapon against 1.d4, and it remains the choice of fighting players worldwide.

Best Games

Mamedyarov,S vs Rapport,R0-1
Saint Louis Blitz 2021 • 2021★ Notable
Ivanchuk,V vs Topalov,V1/2-1/2
20th Amber Blindfold • 2011★ Notable
Aronian,L vs Grischuk,A0-1
20th Amber Rapid • 2011★ Notable
Aronian,L vs Radjabov,T1-0
18th Amber Blindfold • 2009★ Notable
Ivanchuk,V vs Svidler,P1-0
Tal Memorial Blitz • 2008★ Notable
Topalov,V vs Morozevich,A1/2-1/2
Amber Rapid • 2006★ Notable
Gelfand,B vs Morozevich,A1/2-1/2
Amber Rapid • 2006★ Notable
Kamsky,G vs Smirin,I1-0
WCC • 2005★ Notable
Kamsky,G vs Bocharov,D1-0
WCC • 2005★ Notable
Kazhgaleyev,M vs Radjabov,T0-1
WCC • 2005★ Notable
Gelfand,B vs Dizdarevic,E1-0
FIDE WCh KO • 2000★ Notable
Chibukhchian, Artur vs Kasimdzhanov, Rustam1/2-1/2
Wch U20 • 1999★ Notable
Jussupow, Artur vs Ivanchuk, Vassily1/2-1/2
Dortmund • 1998★ Notable
Ljubojevic, Ljubomir vs Anand, Viswanathan0-1
Amber-rapid 5th • 1996★ Notable
Zoler, Dan vs Topalov, Veselin1-0
Wch U16 • 1990★ Notable
Smyslov, Vassily vs Larsen, Bent1/2-1/2
Palma de Mallorca Interzonal • 1970★ Notable
Petrosian, Tigran V vs Spassky, Boris V1/2-1/2
World Championship 26th • 1966★ Notable
Botvinnik, Mikhail vs Smyslov, Vassily1-0
World Championship 20th • 1954★ Notable
Botvinnik, Mikhail vs Smyslov, Vassily1/2-1/2
World Championship 20th • 1954★ Notable
Botvinnik, Mikhail vs Smyslov, Vassily0-1
World Championship 20th • 1954★ Notable

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