1.d4 — the closed and Indian games
King's Indian, Classical Variation
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 O-O 6.Be2 e5ECO E91–E99
The main line of the King's Indian: White builds the big classical centre and Black strikes it with …e5, heading for the famous locked-centre races. After d5, Black storms the kingside with …f5–f4–g5 while White attacks on the queenside with c5 — one of the sharpest strategic battles in chess.
Key ideas
- After 7.O-O Nc6 8.d5 Ne7 the centre locks; Black plays …f5 and rolls the kingside pawns at White's king.
- White races on the other wing with c5 and queenside minority/space play — a pure opposite-wing fight.
- Understanding the pawn-storm timing (…f4, …g5–g4) versus White's c-file break is everything.
Who it suits
Aggressive players who want a fighting, mate-or-be-mated main line as Black against 1.d4.
Add it to your repertoire.
Drill the King's Indian, Classical Variation move by move against the board until it's second nature.
Open the trainer