The King's Indian Defence (Black)
Collins' fighting answer to 1.d4: let White build the big center, then strike with ...e5 and storm the kingside. The most combative defence in chess: play for the win with Black.
The practical plan
Black allows White to build a broad pawn centre, then attacks it with ...e5 or ...c5. In many closed lines Black accepts queenside space in return for a direct kingside initiative.
Typical pawn structure
After the centre closes, the pawn chains point toward each side's natural area of play: White often expands on the queenside while Black prepares ...f5 and piece pressure near the king.
A common mistake to avoid
A kingside pawn storm needs a closed centre and enough developed pieces. Starting ...f5 too early can weaken Black's king without creating a real attack.
Step through the main line
The lines
Classical: Mar del Plata Attack
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 e5 7. O-O Nc6 8. d5 Ne7 9. Ne1 Nd7 10. Be3 f5 11. f3 f4
Classical: Exchange Variation
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 e5 7. dxe5 dxe5 8. Qxd8 Rxd8 9. Bg5 Re8 10. Nd5 Nxd5 11. cxd5 c6
Sämisch Variation
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3 O-O 6. Be3 e5 7. Nge2 c6 8. Qd2 Nbd7 9. d5 cxd5 10. cxd5 a6
Four Pawns Attack
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f4 O-O 6. Nf3 c5 7. d5 e6 8. Be2 exd5 9. exd5 Bg4
Fianchetto Variation
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. g3 O-O 5. Bg2 d6 6. O-O Nbd7 7. Nc3 e5 8. e4 c6 9. h3 Qb6
Averbakh Variation
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Be2 O-O 6. Bg5 c5 7. d5 e6 8. Qd2 exd5 9. exd5 Re8
The Petrosian System (7.d5)
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 e5 7. d5 a5 8. Bg5 h6
How this guide is made: the lines and explanations come from the authored Strong Squares repertoire curriculum. Automated checks verify legal move sequences and required teaching fields. Independent chess-editor approval remains a private-preview release gate. Read the teaching method.