King's Indian Defense: Fianchetto Variation, Classical Variation (E68)

The Fianchetto Variation, Classical Variation is a variation of the King's Indian Defense, catalogued as ECO E68. The line runs 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. g3 O-O 5. Bg2 d6 6. O-O Nbd7 7. Nc3 e5 8. e4, reaching the position shown below after 15 half-moves.

Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4 and e4, Black on e5), and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at three minor pieces each. It is Black to move after eight moves. Both kings have castled kingside, so play tends to shift to the centre and the opposite flank.

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.

Position characteristics

• Contested centre
• Same-side castling

Related King's Indian Defense lines

• Fianchetto Variation, Yugoslav Variation, Exchange Line
• Fianchetto Variation, Yugoslav Variation, Advance Line
• Fianchetto Variation, Classical Fianchetto
• Fianchetto Variation, Debrecen Defense
• Fianchetto Variation, Long Variation
• Fianchetto Variation, Classical Main Line
• Accelerated Averbakh Variation
• Kramer Variation
• Semi-Classical Variation, Benoni Variation
• Semi-Classical Variation, Hollywood Variation
• Fianchetto Variation, Benjamin Defense
• Semi-Classical Variation

See all 112 King's Indian Defense variations →

Frequently asked questions

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

The Fianchetto Variation, Classical Variation goes 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. g3 O-O 5. Bg2 d6 6. O-O Nbd7 7. Nc3 e5 8. e4. It is a variation of the King's Indian Defense and is catalogued as ECO E68.

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

The Fianchetto Variation, Classical Variation is ECO E68. 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, Classical Variation good for White?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. g3 O-O 5. Bg2 d6 6. O-O Nbd7 7. Nc3 e5 8. e4 at +0.46 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, Classical Variation lead to?

Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4 and e4, Black on e5), and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at three minor pieces each. It is Black to move. Both kings have castled kingside, so play tends to shift to the centre and the opposite flank.