E68

King's Indian Defense: Fianchetto Variation, Long 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

Firouzja,Alireza vs Praggnanandhaa,R1-0
Saint Louis Blitz 2024 • 2024★ Notable
Abasov,N vs Praggnanandhaa,R0-1
FIDE Candidates 2024 • 2024★ Notable
Gukesh,D vs Praggnanandhaa,R1-0
Tata Steel India Blitz • 2022★ Notable
Le Quang Liem vs Demchenko,A1/2-1/2
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 15 • 2020★ Notable
Gelfand,B vs Sevian,Samuel1/2-1/2
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 10 • 2020★ Notable
Gelfand,B vs Sevian,Samuel1-0
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 8 • 2020★ Notable
Mamedyarov,S vs Ivanchuk,V1/2-1/2
Amber Rapid • 2008★ Notable
Svidler,P vs Radjabov,T1-0
Amber Rapid • 2007★ Notable
Ehlvest,J vs Radjabov,T1-0
FIDE WCh KO • 2001★ Notable
Mamedyarov, Shahriar vs Mamedov, Nidjat1/2-1/2
Wch U14 • 1999★ Notable
Kasparov, Gary vs Topalov, Veselin1/2-1/2
Linares16th • 1999★ Notable
Jussupow, Artur vs Kasparov, Gary0-1
Linares • 1992★ Notable
Ganguly, Surya Shekhar vs Grischuk, Alexander1/2-1/2
Wch U10 • 1992★ Notable
Svidler, Peter vs Relange, Eloi1-0
Wch U16 • 1992★ Notable
Kortschnoj, Viktor vs Qi Jingxuan1-0
WchT • 1985★ Notable
Botvinnik, Mikhail vs Smyslov, Vassily0-1
World Championship 20th • 1954★ Notable
Le,Quang Liem vs Nakamura,Hi1-0
chess.com SpeedChess 2025 • 2025
Gukesh,D vs Firouzja,Alireza1-0
SuperUnited CRO Rapid 2025 • 2025
Carlsen,M vs Firouzja,Alireza1-0
Titled Tue 17th Jun Early • 2025
Firouzja,Alireza vs Carlsen,M0-1
SpeedChess Final 2024 • 2024

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