ECO code: A00
Polish Opening: King's Indian Variation begins with the moves 1. b4 Nf6 2. Bb2 g6 3. c4 Bg7 4. e3 d6 5. Nf3 O-O. This line features White fianchettoing the queenside bishop early with Bb2, aiming to control the long diagonal and support the b4 pawn thrust.
Characteristic: The move 3.c4 is a key thematic advance in this variation, where White challenges the center from the flank and prepares to develop pieces actively. Black responds in a King's Indian style with ...g6 and ...Bg7, signaling a hypermodern approach, allowing White some initial space while preparing to counterattack the center later.
Playing Style: For White, this opening is generally attacking and seeks to exert pressure on the center and queenside from the flank. Black’s setup is typically defensive at first but aims for dynamic counterplay against White’s center and wings, characteristic of the King's Indian Defense structures.
Center Control: White does not immediately occupy the center with pawns but uses the c4 move to challenge Black’s central presence indirectly. Black maintains a solid pawn structure with ...d6 and prepares to contest the center later through pawn breaks or piece pressure. Thus, the opening features a more positional and hypermodern battle over the center rather than a direct early occupation.
This opening is defined by the position shown on the board below. The moves displayed are a typical sequence that leads to it, but different sequences can reach the same position and still carry the same opening name.