Chess Openings Lab
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King's Indian Attack: Double Fianchetto

The Double Fianchetto is 1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 g6, where Black mirrors White's kingside fianchetto. Both sides put bishops on the long diagonal, and the game often becomes a symmetrical fight for the center with c4, d4 and ...c6.

Moves
1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 g6
ECO
A07
Engine
+0.28 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
179 games in our lichess sample
White scores
53.1%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • 3.d4 is the engine's choice: it grabs the center before Black's bishop reaches g7.
  • Follow with c4 to challenge d5, then trade on d5 for an open c-file.
  • Fianchetto with Bg2 and castle short, keeping the long diagonal aimed at d5 and b7.
  • c3 is a quieter option to support d4 and prepare a queenside pawn advance.

Black

  • Develop ...Bg7 and ...Nf6, then castle short behind the fianchetto bishop on g7.
  • Support d5 with ...c6 so cxd5 can be met by ...cxd5 and a symmetrical center.
  • Look for ...a5 against c3 setups to gain queenside space and stop b4.
  • Keep the g7 bishop on the long diagonal; it is Black's best piece.

Plans and pawn structure

Both sides have mirrored structures. White usually plays d4 and c4, taking space and opening the c-file. Black answers with ...c6 and ...cxd5, reaching a symmetrical center with d4 against d5. The middlegame turns on the c-file and the long diagonals: whoever controls c-file squares like c5 and c4 gets the edge. White keeps a small plus thanks to the extra tempo.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.28: level. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +0.28 3.d4 Bg7 4.Bg2 Nf6 5.c4 c6
  2. +0.25 3.Bg2 Bg7 4.d4 Nf6 5.c4 c6
  3. +0.20 3.c3 Nf6 4.d4 Bg7 5.Bg2 a5

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

179 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 53.1%.

1600–199955.5%
2000 and up52.9%

Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.

Where it goes next

  • Pachman System3.Bg2 · rare

How to play against it

As Black, play ...Bg7, ...Nf6 and ...c6, then castle. Do not open the center early while White has the extra tempo. Fight for the c-file and keep d5 protected, and consider ...a5 against a c3 setup to stop White's queenside expansion.

Questions

What are the moves of the King's Indian Attack: Double Fianchetto?

The King's Indian Attack: Double Fianchetto starts 1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 g6. Its ECO code is A07.

Is the King's Indian Attack: Double Fianchetto good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.28 at depth 20, which is level. A calm, solid choice for Black players who like mirror setups; White keeps a small edge with d4 and c4.

What is the main idea of the King's Indian Attack: Double Fianchetto?

Both sides fianchetto their king's bishops. White plays d4 and c4 to grab space, and Black answers with ...c6 and ...Nf6 for a symmetrical center.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is d4, with Bg2 and c3 close behind. 3.d4 grabs the center before Black's bishop reaches g7, then c4 follows.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.