King's Indian: 3.Nf3 Bg7
King's Indian: 3.Nf3 Bg7
Definition
The move sequence 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nf3 Bg7 is one of the main positional junctions of the King’s Indian Defence (KID). After White develops the knight to f3 instead of the more committal 3.Nc3, Black responds with 3…Bg7, completing the fianchetto and officially entering King’s Indian territory. In the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings it is catalogued as E60, the “un-classified” branch before White makes a fourth-move commitment such as 4.g3 (Fianchetto), 4.Nc3 (Classical & Sämisch paths), or 4.e4 (Four Pawns Attack).
Typical Move Order
The critical difference between 3.Nf3 and lines in which White plays 3.Nc3 is that White keeps the c-pawn free of blockage and remains flexible regarding a later e2–e4 push or queenside expansion.
- 1.d4 Nf6
- 2.c4 g6
- 3.Nf3 Bg7
(KID reached; now White chooses a system) - 4.g3 — Fianchetto Variation
4.Nc3 — Classical / Sämisch set-ups
4.e3 or 4.Bg5 — Torre-type transpositions
Strategic Ideas
- Black intends ...d6, ...0-0, and later ...e5 or ...c5, creating an elastic pawn structure from which to launch a kingside attack or counterpunch in the centre.
- White enjoys a head start in space and development. With Nf3 already controlling e5, White can delay e2–e4 forever (Fianchetto) or prepare it safely (Classical).
- The early Nf3 prevents Black’s most direct response to 3.Nc3: ...Bb4 (the Nimzo-Indian). Many 1.d4 players choose 3.Nf3 deliberately to sidestep the Nimzo.
- The pawn structure is highly dynamic; central tension (d4–d6/e5 or d5–c6) determines whether the middlegame revolves around a Mar del Plata kingside storm or a slower queenside squeeze.
Common White Plans
- Fianchetto Set-up (4.g3): Solid; aims at long-term central restraint and queenside expansion with b2–b4 or c4-c5.
- Classical Development (4.Nc3): After 4…d6 5.e4, White grabs space, planning Be2, 0-0, and often h2-h3 to tame ...Bg4.
- Petrosian System: 4.e4 d6 5.Be2, followed by 6.0-0 and d4–d5 clamp, stifling Black’s typical pawn breaks.
- Four Pawns Attack: 4.e4 d6 5.f4, intending e4-e5 and kingside pressure, but giving Black targets.
Common Black Plans
- …e5 Break: Often preceded by ...d6 and ...0-0, striking the centre and enabling a kingside pawn storm with …f5.
- …c5 Break: Used against the Fianchetto to undermine d4 and seek queenside counterplay.
- Minor-piece Manoeuvres: …Na6–c5 or …Nb8–d7–f8–g6 re-route knights toward e4, g4, or c5 squares.
- Pawn Storm: In Mar del Plata structures, …f5, …f4, …g5, …h5 appear once the centre is locked.
Historical and Theoretical Significance
The line owes its modern prominence to David Bronstein and Efim Geller, who showed in the 1950s that Black could play for a win in closed d-pawn games. Bobby Fischer popularised the KID in the 1960s, but it was Garry Kasparov in the 1980s–1990s who forged many of the critical theoretical paths after 3.Nf3 Bg7. Nowadays the variation remains a favourite of aggressive grandmasters such as Hikaru Nakamura and Teimour Radjabov.
Illustrative Games
The following miniature sample shows the flexibility of the 3.Nf3 Bg7 move order. White chooses the Fianchetto and Black counters in the centre:
For a classical masterpiece, examine Kasparov – Kramnik, Linares 1994, where 3.Nf3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 led to a thrilling Mar del Plata with opposite-wing attacks.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- The ECO code E60 covers everything after 3.Nf3 Bg7 until White's fourth move, making it one of the broadest single entries in the classification.
- In 1997, Kasparov vs. Deep Blue Game 3 featured the line; Kasparov chose the quiet 4.g3, and the computer steered the game into a Grünfeld-type structure instead of allowing the sharpest KID.
- Top engines today still evaluate many balanced positions after 3.Nf3 Bg7 as “≈/=” (slightly better for White) despite decades of human success for Black—proof of the Defence’s practical venom.
- Because the Nimzo-Indian is avoided, some repertoire books nickname 3.Nf3 the “Anti-Nimzo King’s Indian.”
Summary
3.Nf3 Bg7 is the quintessential gateway to the King’s Indian Defence’s vast jungle of variations. It balances flexibility for White with rich counter-attacking chances for Black, has a storied theoretical pedigree, and continues to inspire dynamic play at every level, from club enthusiasts to world-championship contenders.