King's Indian Defense: Four Pawns Attack (E77)

The Four Pawns Attack is a variation of the King's Indian Defense, catalogued as ECO E77. The line runs 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Be2 O-O 6. f4, reaching the position shown below after 11 half-moves.

White holds the centre with pawns on d4 and e4. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is Black 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.

Related King's Indian Defense lines

• Averbakh Variation, Main Line
• Four Pawns Attack
• Four Pawns Attack, Dynamic Attack
• Four Pawns Attack, Modern Defense
• Four Pawns Attack, Florentine Gambit
• Four Pawns Attack, Normal Attack
• Six Pawns Attack
• Four Pawns Attack, Fluid Attack
• 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 Four Pawns Attack?

The Four Pawns Attack goes 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Be2 O-O 6. f4. It is a variation of the King's Indian Defense and is catalogued as ECO E77.

What is the ECO code for the Four Pawns Attack?

The Four Pawns Attack is ECO E77. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the King's Indian Defense.

Is the Four Pawns Attack good for White?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Be2 O-O 6. f4 at +0.15 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.

What kind of position does the Four Pawns Attack lead to?

White holds the centre with pawns on d4 and e4. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is Black to move. Black has castled while White’s king is still uncommitted.