King's Indian Defense: Six Pawns Attack (E77)

The Six Pawns Attack is a variation of the King's Indian Defense, catalogued as ECO E77. The line runs 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f4 O-O 6. Be2 c5 7. d5 e6 8. dxe6 fxe6 9. g4 Nc6 10. h4, reaching the position shown below after 19 half-moves.

White holds the centre with pawns on e4. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is Black to move after ten 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, Modern Defense
• Four Pawns Attack
• Four Pawns Attack, Florentine Gambit
• Four Pawns Attack, Normal Attack
• Four Pawns Attack, Fluid Attack
• Four Pawns Attack, Exchange Variation
• Sämisch Variation
• Sämisch Variation, Sämisch Gambit Accepted
• 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 Six Pawns Attack?

The Six Pawns Attack goes 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f4 O-O 6. Be2 c5 7. d5 e6 8. dxe6 fxe6 9. g4 Nc6 10. h4. It is a variation of the King's Indian Defense and is catalogued as ECO E77.

What is the ECO code for the Six Pawns Attack?

The Six Pawns Attack is ECO E77. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the King's Indian Defense.

Is the Six Pawns Attack 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. Be2 c5 7. d5 e6 8. dxe6 fxe6 9. g4 Nc6 10. h4 at -0.87 at depth 18, which is a small but real edge for Black. 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 Six Pawns Attack lead to?

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