King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation, Ukrainian Defense (E94)

The Orthodox Variation, Ukrainian Defense 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 e5 7. O-O a5, reaching the position shown below after 14 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 three minor pieces each. It is White to move after seven 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: Orthodox Variation, Ukrainian Defense — position after a5 h1g2f3e4d5c6b7a8
Position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 e5 7. O-O a5

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1d4Nf6
2c4g6
3Nc3Bg7
4e4d6
5Nf3O-O
6Be2e5
7O-Oa5

ECO: E94

Stockfish: +0.56 at depth 18

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Position characteristics

Related King's Indian Defense lines

Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Orthodox Variation, Ukrainian Defense?

The Orthodox Variation, Ukrainian Defense goes 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 e5 7. O-O a5. 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, Ukrainian Defense?

The Orthodox Variation, Ukrainian Defense 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, Ukrainian Defense 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 a5 at +0.56 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, Ukrainian Defense 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 three 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.