King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation, Classical System

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 O-O 6.Be2 e5 7.O-O Nc6 8.d5 Ne7 9.Ne1

ECO E98

The King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation, Classical System 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 d6 5.Nf3 O-O 6.Be2 e5 7.O-O Nc6 8.d5 Ne7 9.Ne1.

It is catalogued under code E98 in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings (ECO).

The defining move Ne1 is chosen by White on move 9.

4 named continuations branch from this position, including the Kozul Gambit and the Neo-Classical Line.

The King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation, Classical System 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: Orthodox Variation, Classical System, Kozul Gambit — ECO E98
• King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation, Classical System, Neo-Classical Line — ECO E98
• King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation, Classical System, Benko Attack — ECO E99
• King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation, Classical System, Traditional Line — ECO E99

Study this line with a grandmaster

This position is covered in the King's Indian Defense with ...e5 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.