ECO E60 · King's Indian Defense

King's Indian Defense: Normal Variation, King's Knight Variation

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. c4

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

3… Bg7+0.26

The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the King's Indian Defense: Normal Variation, King's Knight Variation (E60), reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. c4, Stockfish 18 recommends 3… Bg7 for Black. The position is roughly equal (+0.26).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.263… Bg7 4. Nc3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. e4 Nxc3 7. bxc3 c5 8. Be3
  2. +0.373… c6 4. Nc3 d5 5. cxd5 cxd5 6. Bf4 Nc6 7. h3 Qb6 8. Qc1
  3. +0.473… d6 4. Nc3 Bg7 5. e4 O-O 6. h3 Na6 7. Be3 e5 8. d5

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the King's Indian Defense: Normal Variation, King's Knight Variation?
After 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. c4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3… Bg7 for Black, continuing 4. Nc3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. e4 Nxc3 7. bxc3 c5 8. Be3. The position is roughly equal (+0.26). The next best moves are 3… c6 (+0.37) and 3… d6 (+0.47).
Is the King's Indian Defense: Normal Variation, King's Knight Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.26: the position is roughly equal. 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: Normal Variation, King's Knight Variation?
E60. 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+).