King's Indian: 3.Nc3 Bg7

Opening Name: King's Indian Defense: 3.Nc3 Bg7

Moves: 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7

Description: This position arises from the King's Indian Defense, a dynamic and flexible opening choice for Black. By developing the knight to c3, White supports control over the central d5 square and prepares for a strong central presence. Black responds with ...Bg7, fianchettoing the dark-squared bishop, which is a hallmark of the King's Indian Defense. The bishop exerts long-range pressure on the center and queenside, aiming to challenge White's central pawns later in the game.

Characteristic of the move 3...Bg7: The move ...Bg7 is a defining feature of the King's Indian Defense. It places the bishop on the long diagonal where it supports central and kingside activity. This fianchetto setup provides Black with solid defensive resources while enabling dynamic counterplay.

Attacking or Defensive: As Black, this opening is primarily attacking in nature. Black often allows White to build a strong pawn center initially, planning to counterattack it aggressively later with moves like ...d6 and ...e5 or ...c5. White, on the other hand, typically adopts a more positional or central control approach early on, aiming to leverage space and maintain a strong pawn center.

Control of the Center: White immediately challenges the center with pawns on d4 and c4, establishing a strong central presence. Black’s setup with ...Bg7 indirectly contests the center by pressuring the long diagonal and preparing to undermine White’s central pawns in the midgame. Thus, the opening is very much about fighting for control of the center, with White building it and Black planning to attack it.