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.
Top Players in this Opening
Related Openings
E60 - Queen's Pawn, Mengarini Attack1134E62 - King's Indian Defense: Fianchetto Variation, Larsen Defense531E63 - King's Indian Defense: Fianchetto Variation, Panno Variation268E64 - King's Indian Defense: Fianchetto Variation, Yugoslav System84E65 - King's Indian Defense: Fianchetto Variation, Yugoslav Variation102E66 - King's Indian Defense: Fianchetto Variation, Yugoslav Variation, Advance Line119E67 - King's Indian Defense: Fianchetto Variation, Debrecen Defense188E68 - King's Indian Defense: Fianchetto Variation, Long Variation330E69 - King's Indian Defense: Fianchetto Variation, Classical Main Line272
Best Games
Mamedyarov,S vs Rapport,R0-1
Saint Louis Blitz 2021 2021Notable
Ivanchuk,V vs Topalov,V1/2-1/2
20th Amber Blindfold 2011Notable
Aronian,L vs Grischuk,A0-1
20th Amber Rapid 2011Notable
Aronian,L vs Radjabov,T1-0
18th Amber Blindfold 2009Notable
Ivanchuk,V vs Svidler,P1-0
Tal Memorial Blitz 2008Notable
Topalov,V vs Morozevich,A1/2-1/2
Amber Rapid 2006Notable
Gelfand,B vs Morozevich,A1/2-1/2
Amber Rapid 2006Notable
Kamsky,G vs Smirin,I1-0
WCC 2005Notable
Kamsky,G vs Bocharov,D1-0
WCC 2005Notable
Kazhgaleyev,M vs Radjabov,T0-1
WCC 2005Notable
Gelfand,B vs Dizdarevic,E1-0
FIDE WCh KO 2000Notable
Chibukhchian, Artur vs Kasimdzhanov, Rustam1/2-1/2
Wch U20 1999Notable
Jussupow, Artur vs Ivanchuk, Vassily1/2-1/2
Dortmund 1998Notable
Ljubojevic, Ljubomir vs Anand, Viswanathan0-1
Amber-rapid 5th 1996Notable
Zoler, Dan vs Topalov, Veselin1-0
Wch U16 1990Notable
Smyslov, Vassily vs Larsen, Bent1/2-1/2
Palma de Mallorca Interzonal 1970Notable
Petrosian, Tigran V vs Spassky, Boris V1/2-1/2
World Championship 26th 1966Notable
Botvinnik, Mikhail vs Smyslov, Vassily0-1
World Championship 20th 1954Notable
Botvinnik, Mikhail vs Smyslov, Vassily1/2-1/2
World Championship 20th 1954Notable
Botvinnik, Mikhail vs Smyslov, Vassily1-0
World Championship 20th 1954Notable