King's Indian Defense: Normal Variation, King's Knight Variation
The King's Knight Variation arises after 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4, a move order that develops the knight before c4. White keeps options between Nc3 and g3 setups, and Black chooses between a King's Indian with ...Bg7 and ...d6 or a Grünfeld-style ...d5.
- Moves
- 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4
- ECO
- E60
- Engine
- +0.28 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 2,542 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 49.7%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- Play Nc3 next and aim for e4; after ...d5, cxd5 and e4 build a broad center.
- Against ...c6 and ...d5, the engine likes h3 and cxd5 followed by Bf4.
- Keep a g3 fianchetto in mind if Black's setup calls for a slower game with pressure on the long diagonal.
- Do not hurry e4 before Nc3, because the knight on c3 is what supports that pawn against ...Nxe4.
Black
- ...Bg7 is the main move; it keeps both ...d6 and ...d5 options open.
- After Nc3, ...d5 leads to Grünfeld-type play, where ...Nxd5 and ...Nxc3 aim at White's center from the sides.
- ...d6 with ...O-O and ...e5 aims for normal King's Indian structures with play against d4.
- ...c6 and ...d5 give a solid Slav-like setup with the bishop still on f8.
Plans and pawn structure
This position is a crossroads. If Black goes ...d6 and ...e5, the game follows King's Indian plans with a locked or open center. If Black plays ...d5, White can take with cxd5 and build e4 with bxc3 support after ...Nxc3, aiming at a big center while Black attacks it with ...c5 and the g7 bishop. Knowing which structure you want helps you pick the right move now.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.28: level. Its three top choices for Black:
- +0.28 3...Bg7 4.Nc3 d5 5.cxd5 Nxd5 6.e4
- +0.53 3...c6 4.Nc3 d5 5.h3 Bg7 6.cxd5
- +0.59 3...d6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.e4 O-O 6.Be2
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
2,542 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 49.7%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
Where it goes next
- Exchange Variation, Modern Exchange Variation, Kramnik's Line3...Bg7 · rare
How to play against it
As Black, play ...Bg7 and wait for White to show the setup. Choose ...d5 only if you know Grünfeld ideas, since cxd5 and e4 give White a broad center. As White, Nc3 is the most direct; avoid quiet moves that let Black build an ideal setup unchallenged.
Questions
What are the moves of the King's Indian Defense: Normal Variation, King's Knight Variation?
The King's Indian Defense: Normal Variation, King's Knight Variation starts 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4. Its ECO code is E60.
Is the King's Indian Defense: Normal Variation, King's Knight Variation good for White?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.28 at depth 20, which is level. In 2,542 lichess games from our sample, White scored 49.7%. A flexible move order for White players who like to avoid some sidelines, and Black needs to know which structure suits their style.
What is the main idea of the King's Indian Defense: Normal Variation, King's Knight Variation?
White develops Nf3 before c4, keeping both Nc3 and g3 setups available. Black uses ...Bg7 to stay flexible, choosing later between ...d6 King's Indian play and ...d5 Grünfeld play.
What should Black play next?
The engine's first choice is Bg7, with c6 and d6 close behind. ...Bg7 develops and keeps both ...d6 and ...d5 available, so Black can respond to White's next choice.
Related lines
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.