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E76Play as White2 lines to train

Learn the King's Indian Four Pawns

An ambitious King’s Indian system where White builds the broadest possible center. White aims to use the space advantage for an attack before Black can undermine the pawns.

Practice this openingUnderstand the moves
Main line

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f4 O-O 6. Nf3

1.d41…Nf62.c42…g63.Nc33…Bg74.e44…d65.f45…O-O6.Nf3

The idea

Why this opening works

The King's Indian Four Pawns gives White a clear route to use the space advantage for an attack before Black can undermine the pawns. Its recurring positions revolve around space versus counterplay, the f4 lever, and central breaks, so the repertoire rewards understanding the structure as much as remembering the move order.

What to remember

  • Know the first 8 half-moves of the main line.
  • Understand the purpose of your key moves before adding more theory.
  • Practice the branches until you can respond without move-order guessing.

Move by move

The moves worth understanding

Theory sticks when every move has a job. Start with these ideas from the trainer.

Scroll down through 7 positions

  1. Position 1 of 7

    1.d4

    d2 → d4

    d4 begins the King's Indian Four Pawns plan: use the space advantage for an attack before Black can undermine the pawns.

  2. Position 2 of 7

    2.c4

    c2 → c4

    c4 changes the queenside structure and supports the opening’s main counterplay.

  3. Position 3 of 7

    3.Nc3

    b1 → c3

    Nc3 develops or reroutes the knight toward the central squares that drive this opening.

  4. Position 4 of 7

    4.e4

    e2 → e4

    e4 reinforces the center and prepares the next piece-development or pawn-break decision.

  5. Position 5 of 7

    5.f4

    f2 → f4

    f4 gains kingside space and prepares the pawn lever that gives this setup its attacking potential.

  6. Position 6 of 7

    6.Nf3

    g1 → f3

    Nf3 develops or reroutes the knight toward the central squares that drive this opening.

  7. Position 7 of 7

    6.d5

    d4 → d5

    d5 reinforces the center and prepares the next piece-development or pawn-break decision.

Trainer variations

Lines you’ll meet

These are representative branches from the drill, not a demand to memorize everything at once.

Line 11. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f4 O-O 6. Nf3
Line 21. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f4 c5 6. d5 O-O 7. Nf3

Quick answers

King's Indian Four Pawns questions

What is the King's Indian Four Pawns?

An ambitious King’s Indian system where White builds the broadest possible center. White aims to use the space advantage for an attack before Black can undermine the pawns. The King's Indian Four Pawns gives White a clear route to use the space advantage for an attack before Black can undermine the pawns. Its recurring positions revolve around space versus counterplay, the f4 lever, and central breaks, so the repertoire rewards understanding the structure as much as remembering the move order.

What is the main line of the King's Indian Four Pawns?

This trainer starts with 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f4 O-O 6. Nf3. The exact move order can change by variation, so learn the purpose of each move as well as the sequence.

Is the King's Indian Four Pawns good to learn as White?

It can be a useful part of a White repertoire if its positions match how you like to play. Learn the main plan first, then use the drill to test the recurring replies.

Study next

D06Queen's GambitWhite offers a pawn to gain central control. A cornerstone of 1.d4 play.1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e3 O-O 6. Nf3 Nbd7 7. Bd3D00London SystemA flexible system for White. Easy to learn, hard to refute.1. d4 d5 2. Bf4 Nf6 3. e3 e6 4. Nf3 c5 5. c3 Nc6 6. Nbd2 Bd6 7. Bg3 O-O 8. Bd3E60King's Indian DefenseHypermodern defense letting White build a center, then counterattacking.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. b4

Turn the guide into recall

Now play the King's Indian Four Pawns from memory.

The drill gives you an opponent reply, checks your response, and repeats the branches that need more work.

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