King's Indian Defense: Fianchetto Variation, Yugoslav Variation (E65)

The Fianchetto Variation, Yugoslav Variation is a variation of the King's Indian Defense, catalogued as ECO E65. The line runs 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. g3 O-O 5. Bg2 d6 6. O-O c5 7. Nc3, reaching the position shown below after 13 half-moves.

White holds the centre with pawns on d4, 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 seven 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.

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King's Indian Defense: Fianchetto Variation, Yugoslav Variation — position after Nc3 a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
Position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. g3 O-O 5. Bg2 d6 6. O-O c5 7. Nc3

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1d4Nf6
2c4g6
3Nf3Bg7
4g3O-O
5Bg2d6
6O-Oc5
7Nc3

ECO: E65

Stockfish: +0.38 at depth 18

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Position characteristics

Related King's Indian Defense lines

Frequently asked questions

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

The Fianchetto Variation, Yugoslav Variation goes 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. g3 O-O 5. Bg2 d6 6. O-O c5 7. Nc3. It is a variation of the King's Indian Defense and is catalogued as ECO E65.

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

The Fianchetto Variation, Yugoslav Variation is ECO E65. 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, Yugoslav 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 c5 7. Nc3 at +0.38 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, Yugoslav Variation lead to?

White holds the centre with pawns on d4, 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.