King's Indian Defense: Normal Variation

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4

ECO E70

The King's Indian Defense: Normal Variation is a chess opening line in the King's Indian Defense complex, reached after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4.

It is catalogued under code E70 in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings (ECO).

The defining move e4 is chosen by White on move 4.

4 named continuations branch from this position, including the King's Knight Variation and the Deferred Fianchetto.

The King's Indian Defense: Normal Variation is a line of the King's Indian Defense. The King's Indian Defense is a chess opening that begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6, with Black fianchettoing the bishop to g7 and castling before challenging the center with ...e5 or ...c5. Read the complete King's Indian Defense guide: what it is, how to reach it, its main variations, how to play against it, and its history.

Named variations

• King's Indian Defense: Normal Variation, King's Knight Variation — ECO E60
• King's Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Deferred Fianchetto — ECO E72
• King's Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Standard Development — ECO E73
• King's Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Rare Defenses — ECO E90

Study this line with a grandmaster

This position is covered in the King's Indian Defense with ...c5 course: a GM-authored repertoire you study move by move, then practice against a human-like AI opponent.

Every chess term used here is defined in the chess terms glossary. Browse all opening courses or the full ECO code index.