Tree path 2 levels Indian Defense: West Indian Defense › King's Indian Defense
  1. Chess Codex
  2. Indian Defense: West Indian Defense E60
  3. King's Indian Defense E61 you are here
E61

King's Indian Defense

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Overview

King's Indian Defense is a specific line in the Indian Defenses family (ECO E61), arising from a recognised theoretical position.

The Indian Defenses group covers Indian defences — hypermodern lines where Black challenges the centre with pieces rather than pawns.

Play reaches this position via 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3, after 5 plies of opening development.

The line is a first-level refinement of Indian Defense: West Indian Defense.

The line splits into 4 documented sub-systems: Fianchetto Variation, Delayed Fianchetto, Normal Variation, Semi-Classical Variation, and others.

Below the direct variations, the full subtree contains 92 documented sub-variations.

Explore the position on the interactive board, study its real-world results from Lichess, and challenge the engine when you are ready.

ECO code
E61
Group
Indian Defenses (E)
Plies
5
Parent
Indian Defense: West Indian Defense
Direct variations
4
Total in subtree
92

This overview is generated automatically from the opening's metadata. Know this line well? Write a description — submissions are reviewed before publishing.

Statistics from Lichess

22,446,615 games · White 47.8% / Draw 5.6% / Black 46.7%

MovesGamesW / D / B
Bg715,814,403
d55,582,602
d6790,985
c5137,252
c665,643
e632,709
b69,933
e52,834

Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 01:15:25

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Variations (4)

Show all 92 sub-variations (full subtree)

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