1.d4 — the closed and Indian games
King's Indian, Petrosian Variation
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 O-O 6.Be2 e5 7.d5ECO E92–E94
White meets the King's Indian's …e5 by locking the centre with 7.d5 immediately (the Petrosian approach), gaining space and steering into a slower, strategic battle rather than the sharpest Mar del Plata races. A positional way to blunt Black's kingside attack.
Key ideas
- 7.d5 locks the centre and gains queenside space; White plays on the c-file and the queenside.
- Black seeks the usual …f5 kingside expansion, but with the centre closed early the play is more manoeuvring.
- It sidesteps the theory-heavy Classical main lines for a calmer, space-based fight.
Who it suits
1.d4 players who want a positional, space-gaining answer to the King's Indian.
Add it to your repertoire.
Drill the King's Indian, Petrosian Variation move by move against the board until it's second nature.
Open the trainer