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.
King's Indian Attack: French Variation
Moves: 1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 c5 3. Bg2 Nc6
This setup is a flexible, hypermodern approach where White delays direct occupation of the center in favor of controlling it from a distance. By fianchettoing the bishop to g2, White exerts long-range pressure on the central dark squares, especially d5. The characteristic feature of this variation is White's focus on piece development and kingside fianchetto rather than immediate pawn confrontation.
From White's perspective, this setup is typically attacking, aiming to build a strong, flexible position that can later support a central or kingside pawn break. Black's early ...d5 and ...c5 moves stake a direct claim in the center, so Black is playing more directly and centrally here.
Overall, White's King's Indian Attack framework does not immediately attack the center with pawns but seeks to control and undermine it with pieces. This makes the opening somewhat indirect in its approach to the center, relying on piece pressure and eventual pawn breaks to challenge Black's central presence.
Practice puzzles and train your tactics with real positions from games that used the King's Indian Attack: French Variation, and sharpen your opening mastery.
Puzzle 1 of 14 - Move #7 black
You can also discover how top players used King's Indian Attack: French Variation to leverage key strategies to secure victories in these classic matchups.