King's Indian Defense: Semi-Classical Variation

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.Nf3 O-O 5.e3 d6 6.Be2

ECO E61

The King's Indian Defense: Semi-Classical 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.Nf3 O-O 5.e3 d6 6.Be2.

It is catalogued under code E61 in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings (ECO).

The defining move Be2 is chosen by White on move 6.

4 named continuations branch from this position, including the Benoni Variation and the Hollywood Variation.

Named variations

• King's Indian Defense: Semi-Classical Variation, Benoni Variation — ECO E60
• King's Indian Defense: Semi-Classical Variation, Hollywood Variation — ECO E60
• King's Indian Defense: Semi-Classical Variation, Exchange Variation — ECO E61
• King's Indian Defense: Semi-Classical Variation, Queenside Storm Line — ECO E61

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.