ECO E97 · King's Indian Defense

King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation, Aronin-Taimanov Defense

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 e5 7. O-O Nc6

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

8. d5+0.56

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation, Aronin-Taimanov Defense (E97), reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 e5 7. O-O Nc6, Stockfish 18 recommends 8. d5 for White. White is slightly better (+0.56).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.568. d5 Ne7 9. Bd2 Kh8 10. b4 Nh5 11. a4 a5 12. c5 axb4
  2. +0.268. Be3 Ng4 9. Bg5 f6 10. Bc1 f5 11. Bg5 Bf6 12. Bxf6 Nxf6
  3. +0.138. dxe5 dxe5 9. Qxd8 Rxd8 10. Bg5 Rd7 11. h3 Nd4 12. Nxe5 Nxe4

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation, Aronin-Taimanov Defense?
After 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 e5 7. O-O Nc6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 8. d5 for White, continuing Ne7 9. Bd2 Kh8 10. b4 Nh5 11. a4 a5 12. c5 axb4. White is slightly better (+0.56). The next best moves are 8. Be3 (+0.26) and 8. dxe5 (+0.13).
Is the King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation, Aronin-Taimanov Defense a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.56: 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: Orthodox Variation, Aronin-Taimanov Defense?
E97. 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+).