ECO E61 · King's Indian Defense

King's Indian Defense

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3

abcdefgh87654321
Black to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

3… d5+0.35

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the King's Indian Defense (E61), reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3, Stockfish 18 recommends 3… d5 for Black. White is slightly better (+0.35).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.353… d5 4. Nf3 c6 5. e3 Bg7 6. Bd3 O-O 7. h3 dxc4 8. Bxc4
  2. +0.523… d6 4. e4 Bg7 5. Be2 O-O 6. h4 h5 7. Bg5 Nh7 8. Be3
  3. +0.523… Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Be2 O-O 6. h4 h5 7. Bg5 Nh7 8. Be3

All King's Indian Defense variations (108)

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the King's Indian Defense?
After 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3… d5 for Black, continuing 4. Nf3 c6 5. e3 Bg7 6. Bd3 O-O 7. h3 dxc4 8. Bxc4. White is slightly better (+0.35). The next best moves are 3… d6 (+0.52) and 3… Bg7 (+0.52).
Is the King's Indian Defense a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.35: white is slightly better. Evaluations this early in the game are small, so practical results depend far more on knowing the plans and typical structures than on the engine's number.
What is the ECO code of the King's Indian Defense?
E61. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; E is the volume for indian defenses.

Opening names from the Lichess opening book (CC0). Pieces by Colin M.L. Burnett (GPLv2+).