King's Indian Defense: Petrosian Variation, Stein Defense (E92)

The Petrosian Variation, Stein Defense is a variation of the King's Indian Defense, catalogued as ECO E92. The line runs 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 e5 7. d5 a5, reaching the position shown below after 14 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 White to move after seven 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.

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King's Indian Defense: Petrosian Variation, Stein 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. d5 a5

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1d4Nf6
2c4g6
3Nc3Bg7
4e4d6
5Nf3O-O
6Be2e5
7d5a5

ECO: E92

Stockfish: +0.31 at depth 18

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Position characteristics

Related King's Indian Defense lines

Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Petrosian Variation, Stein Defense?

The Petrosian Variation, Stein Defense goes 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 e5 7. d5 a5. It is a variation of the King's Indian Defense and is catalogued as ECO E92.

What is the ECO code for the Petrosian Variation, Stein Defense?

The Petrosian Variation, Stein Defense is ECO E92. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the King's Indian Defense.

Is the Petrosian Variation, Stein 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. d5 a5 at +0.31 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 Petrosian Variation, Stein Defense 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 White to move. Black has castled while White’s king is still uncommitted.