The central idea
The King's Indian Defense lets White build a broad center before Black challenges it with ...f5 or ...c5. The opening rewards timing: Black's counterplay must arrive before White's space becomes permanent.
Typical plans
- Develop the kingside and castle before starting the attack.
- Choose ...e5 or ...c5 according to White's center.
- Use ...f5 only when the king and central squares are adequately supported.
Common mistakes
- Starting a kingside attack while the center can open against the king.
- Ignoring White's queenside expansion.
- Playing ...f5 without accounting for e5 and central exchanges.