King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation, Positional Defense, Closed Line (E94)

The Orthodox Variation, Positional Defense, Closed Line is a variation of the King's Indian Defense, catalogued as ECO E94. The line runs 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 Nbd7 7. O-O e5 8. d5, reaching the position shown below after 15 half-moves.

Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d5 and e4, Black on e5). 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.

King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation, Positional Defense, Closed Line — position after d5 a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
Position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 Nbd7 7. O-O e5 8. d5

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1d4Nf6
2c4g6
3Nc3Bg7
4e4d6
5Nf3O-O
6Be2Nbd7
7O-Oe5
8d5

ECO: E94

Stockfish: +0.18 at depth 18

Practice this line free →

Position characteristics

Related King's Indian Defense lines

Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Orthodox Variation, Positional Defense, Closed Line?

The Orthodox Variation, Positional Defense, Closed Line goes 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 Nbd7 7. O-O e5 8. d5. It is a variation of the King's Indian Defense and is catalogued as ECO E94.

What is the ECO code for the Orthodox Variation, Positional Defense, Closed Line?

The Orthodox Variation, Positional Defense, Closed Line is ECO E94. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the King's Indian Defense.

Is the Orthodox Variation, Positional Defense, Closed Line good for White?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 Nbd7 7. O-O e5 8. d5 at +0.18 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 Orthodox Variation, Positional Defense, Closed Line lead to?

Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d5 and e4, Black on e5). 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.