E65

King's Indian Defense: Fianchetto Variation, Yugoslav Variation

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 Carlsen,M1-0
51st Biel GM 2018 • 2018★ Notable
Aronian,L vs Morozevich,A0-1
Amber Blindfold • 2007★ Notable
Karpov, Anatoly vs Topalov, Veselin1/2-1/2
Amber-rapid 6th • 1997★ Notable
Kramnik, Vladimir vs Topalov, Veselin1/2-1/2
Amber-rapid 6th • 1997★ Notable
Karpov, Anatoly vs Polgar, Zsuzsa1-0
Amber-rapid 3rd • 1994★ Notable
Mamedyarov,S vs Firouzja,Alireza0-1
FIDE World Rapid Team • 2025
Mamedyarov,S vs Gelfand,B1/2-1/2
FIDE GP Beijing • 2013
Giri,A vs Morozevich,A0-1
Renova FIDE GP Zug • 2013
Petrosian, Arshak B vs Morozevich, Alexander1/2-1/2
Moscow7 op • 1991
Tal, Mihail vs Kasparov, Gary1/2-1/2
Moscow TV • 1987
Portisch, Lajos vs Larsen, Bent0-1
Mar del Plata • 1982
Larsen, Bent vs Bouaziz, Slim1-0
Riga Interzonal • 1979
Larsen, Bent vs Ribli, Zoltan1-0
Riga Interzonal • 1979
Petrosian, Tigran V vs Smejkal, Jan1/2-1/2
Biel Interzonal • 1976
Larsen, Bent vs Mecking, Henrique1-0
Sousse Interzonal • 1967
Geller, Efim P vs Gligoric, Svetozar1/2-1/2
Stockholm Interzonal • 1962
Spassky, Boris V vs Tal, Mihail1-0
URS-ch29 • 1961
Portisch, Lajos vs Tal, Mihail1/2-1/2
Bled • 1961
Smyslov, Vassily vs Najdorf, Miguel1/2-1/2
Alekhine mem • 1956
Petrosian, Tigran V vs Bronstein, David I0-1
Candidats Tournament • 1956

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