King's Indian Defense: Fianchetto Variation, Yugoslav Variation, Advance Line (E66)

The Fianchetto Variation, Yugoslav Variation, Advance Line is a variation of the King's Indian Defense, catalogued as ECO E66. 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 Nc6 8. d5, reaching the position shown below after 15 half-moves.

White holds the centre with pawns on d5. 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.

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King's Indian Defense: Fianchetto Variation, Yugoslav Variation, Advance Line — position after d5 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 Nc6 8. d5

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1d4Nf6
2c4g6
3Nf3Bg7
4g3O-O
5Bg2d6
6O-Oc5
7Nc3Nc6
8d5

ECO: E66

Stockfish: +0.31 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, Advance Line?

The Fianchetto Variation, Yugoslav Variation, Advance Line goes 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. g3 O-O 5. Bg2 d6 6. O-O c5 7. Nc3 Nc6 8. d5. It is a variation of the King's Indian Defense and is catalogued as ECO E66.

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

The Fianchetto Variation, Yugoslav Variation, Advance Line is ECO E66. 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, Advance Line 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 Nc6 8. d5 at +0.31 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, Advance Line lead to?

White holds the centre with pawns on d5. 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.