King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation, Positional Defense, Main Line (E96)

The Orthodox Variation, Positional Defense, Main Line is a variation of the King's Indian Defense, catalogued as ECO E96. The line runs 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 e5 7. O-O Nbd7 8. Re1 c6 9. Bf1 a5, reaching the position shown below after 18 half-moves.

Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4 and e4, Black on e5), and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is White to move after nine 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.

Position characteristics

• Contested centre
• Same-side castling

Related King's Indian Defense lines

• Orthodox Variation, Positional Defense
• Orthodox Variation, Positional Defense, Closed Line
• Orthodox Variation, Ukrainian Defense
• Orthodox Variation
• Orthodox Variation, Aronin-Taimanov Defense
• Orthodox Variation, Bayonet Attack
• Orthodox Variation, Bayonet Attack, Sokolov's Line
• Orthodox Variation, Bayonet Attack, Yepishin's Line
• 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 Orthodox Variation, Positional Defense, Main Line?

The Orthodox Variation, Positional Defense, Main Line goes 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 e5 7. O-O Nbd7 8. Re1 c6 9. Bf1 a5. It is a variation of the King's Indian Defense and is catalogued as ECO E96.

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

The Orthodox Variation, Positional Defense, Main Line is ECO E96. 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, Main Line good for Black?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 e5 7. O-O Nbd7 8. Re1 c6 9. Bf1 a5 at +0.53 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 Orthodox Variation, Positional Defense, Main Line lead to?

Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4 and e4, Black on e5), and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is White to move. Both kings have castled kingside, so play tends to shift to the centre and the opposite flank.