How to Play the King's Indian Attack in Chess

The King's Indian Attack is one of the most popular opening systems in chess. The King's Indian Attack is unique in that the opening moves are largely the same for White, regardless of Black's defenses. If you are not interested in the rote memorization of opening lines, but rather wish to focus immediately upon original and familiar play, the King's Indian Attack may be the opening system for you.

Instructions

1. Move your pawn to e4. This will establish early control over the center.

2. Jump your knight to f3. This move prepares the kingside castle, develops a piece towards the center and begins preparations for the kingside fianchetto.

3. Play d3. This will support the pawn at e4 and clear the d2 square for your queenside knight.

4. Take your queenside knight to d2. This move develops another piece and provides another line of support to e4.

5. Complete your kingside fianchetto with Bg2. This will develop your bishop along the h1-a8 diagonal and clear the way for the kingside castle.

6. Castle kingside. This develops your rook and protects your king behind your kingside fianchetto.

Tips & Warnings

• The move order indicated in the steps is not mandatory. For example, if you are more comfortable having your first move be Nf3, or even d3 or g3, this is perfectly acceptable as long as your first six moves are the six moves indicated in the steps.

• Don't be so determined to follow the moves of the King's Indian Attack that you ignore tactical or strategic opportunities that will provide an immediate advantage. If Black moves a piece en prise during the opening, don't worry about continuing the move order. Take the piece instead.