The Keres Variation is a variation of the King's Indian Attack, catalogued as ECO A07. The line runs 1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 c6 3. Bg2 Bg4 4. O-O Nd7 5. d4 Ngf6 6. c4 e6 7. cxd5 exd5 8. Nc3 Bd6, reaching the position shown below after 16 half-moves.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4, Black on d5). Development is level at three minor pieces each. It is White to move after eight moves. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted.
On the King's Indian Attack generally: ECO A05. A chess opening with 18 known variations.
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See all 6 King's Indian Attack variations →
The Keres Variation goes 1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 c6 3. Bg2 Bg4 4. O-O Nd7 5. d4 Ngf6 6. c4 e6 7. cxd5 exd5 8. Nc3 Bd6. It is a variation of the King's Indian Attack and is catalogued as ECO A07.
The Keres Variation is ECO A07. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the King's Indian Attack.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 c6 3. Bg2 Bg4 4. O-O Nd7 5. d4 Ngf6 6. c4 e6 7. cxd5 exd5 8. Nc3 Bd6 at -0.03 at depth 18, which is balanced. Engine evaluation is only a starting point — at club level the practical value of a line is mostly about whether you know its plans better than your opponent does.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4, Black on d5). Development is level at three minor pieces each. It is White to move. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted.