King's Indian Defense: Fianchetto Variation, Carlsbad Variation (E62)

The Fianchetto Variation, Carlsbad Variation is a variation of the King's Indian Defense, catalogued as ECO E62. The line runs 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 O-O 5. Nc3 d6 6. Nf3 Nc6, reaching the position shown below after 12 half-moves.

White holds the centre with pawns on d4. Development is level at three minor pieces each. It is White to move after six moves. Black has castled while White’s king is still uncommitted.

On the King's Indian Defense generally: A hypermodern defense where Black allows White to build a big center, then counterattacks it.

You can play through this variation move by move in your browser — Learn mode walks the line with an explanation at each step, and Drill mode replays it from memory so you find out whether you actually know it. No account is required.

King's Indian Defense: Fianchetto Variation, Carlsbad Variation — position after Nc6 h1g2f3e4d5c6b7a8
Position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 O-O 5. Nc3 d6 6. Nf3 Nc6

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1d4Nf6
2c4g6
3g3Bg7
4Bg2O-O
5Nc3d6
6Nf3Nc6

ECO: E62

Stockfish: +0.47 at depth 18

Practice this line free →

Related King's Indian Defense lines

Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Fianchetto Variation, Carlsbad Variation?

The Fianchetto Variation, Carlsbad Variation goes 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 O-O 5. Nc3 d6 6. Nf3 Nc6. It is a variation of the King's Indian Defense and is catalogued as ECO E62.

What is the ECO code for the Fianchetto Variation, Carlsbad Variation?

The Fianchetto Variation, Carlsbad Variation is ECO E62. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the King's Indian Defense.

Is the Fianchetto Variation, Carlsbad Variation good for Black?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 O-O 5. Nc3 d6 6. Nf3 Nc6 at +0.47 at depth 18, which is a slight pull for White, within normal opening margins. 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.

What kind of position does the Fianchetto Variation, Carlsbad Variation lead to?

White holds the centre with pawns on d4. Development is level at three minor pieces each. It is White to move. Black has castled while White’s king is still uncommitted.