♞Chess Trainer
E76bPlay as Black2 lines to train

Learn the King's Indian Four Pawns

An ambitious King’s Indian system where White builds the broadest possible center. Black aims to strike immediately at the oversized center with c5 or e5.

Practice this openingUnderstand the moves
Main line

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

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

The idea

Why this opening works

The King's Indian Four Pawns gives Black a clear route to strike immediately at the oversized center with c5 or e5. 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 6 positions

  1. Position 1 of 6

    1...Nf6

    g8 → f6

    Nf6 begins the King's Indian Four Pawns plan: strike immediately at the oversized center with c5 or e5.

  2. Position 2 of 6

    2...g6

    g7 → g6

    g6 gains kingside space and prepares the pawn lever that gives this setup its attacking potential.

  3. Position 3 of 6

    3...Bg7

    f8 → g7

    Bg7 activates the bishop on a diagonal that supports the opening’s central and kingside ideas.

  4. Position 4 of 6

    4...d6

    d7 → d6

    d6 reinforces the center and prepares the next piece-development or pawn-break decision.

  5. Position 5 of 6

    5...O-O

    e8 → g8

    O-O secures the king and brings a rook closer to the files that matter in this structure.

  6. Position 6 of 6

    5...c5

    c7 → c5

    c5 changes the queenside structure and supports the opening’s main counterplay.

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

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. Black aims to strike immediately at the oversized center with c5 or e5. The King's Indian Four Pawns gives Black a clear route to strike immediately at the oversized center with c5 or e5. 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. 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 Black?

It can be a useful part of a Black 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

E60bKing's Indian DefenseA hypermodern defense — let White build the center, then counter-attack it.1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 e5 7. d5 Nbd7D30bQueen's Gambit DeclinedHold the center with ...e6 and ...d5 — solid, reliable, and strategic.1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e3 O-O 6. Nf3 Nbd7D10bSlav DefenseMeet 1.d4 d5 2.c4 with ...c6 — keep a solid pawn chain and a free light-squared bishop.1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bf5 6. e3 e6

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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