King's Indian Defense: Four Pawns Attack, Exchange Variation (E79)

The Four Pawns Attack, Exchange Variation is a variation of the King's Indian Defense, catalogued as ECO E79. The line runs 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f4 O-O 6. Nf3 c5 7. Be2 cxd4 8. Nxd4 Nc6 9. Be3, reaching the position shown below after 17 half-moves.

White holds the centre with pawns on e4. Development is level at four minor pieces each. It is Black to move after nine 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

• Four Pawns Attack, Florentine Gambit
• Four Pawns Attack, Normal Attack
• Six Pawns Attack
• Four Pawns Attack, Fluid Attack
• Sämisch Variation
• Sämisch Variation, Sämisch Gambit Accepted
• Steiner Attack
• Sämisch Variation, Bobotsov-Korchnoi-Petrosian 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 Four Pawns Attack, Exchange Variation?

The Four Pawns Attack, Exchange Variation goes 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f4 O-O 6. Nf3 c5 7. Be2 cxd4 8. Nxd4 Nc6 9. Be3. It is a variation of the King's Indian Defense and is catalogued as ECO E79.

What is the ECO code for the Four Pawns Attack, Exchange Variation?

The Four Pawns Attack, Exchange Variation is ECO E79. 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, Exchange Variation good for White?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f4 O-O 6. Nf3 c5 7. Be2 cxd4 8. Nxd4 Nc6 9. Be3 at +0.23 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, Exchange Variation lead to?

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