Chess Openings Lab
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1

King's Indian Attack: French Variation

The French Variation of the King's Indian Attack is 1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 c5 3.Bg2 Nc6, where Black builds a big center with pawns on c5 and d5. White can strike with d4 into a reversed Gruenfeld structure, or play c4 or quick castling to undermine the center.

Moves
1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 c5 3.Bg2 Nc6
ECO
A08
Engine
+0.37 · a slight edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
1,261 games in our lichess sample
White scores
52.4%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • 4.d4 is the engine's choice: it hits c5 and opens the long diagonal for the g2 bishop.
  • After ...cxd4 and Nxd4, follow with c4 to attack d5 and use the bishop on g2.
  • 4.c4 offers a pawn: after ...dxc4, Na3 regains it with active pieces.
  • Castling first with O-O keeps options open for c4 or d3 and e4.

Black

  • Answer 4.d4 with ...e6, keeping d5 solid and preparing ...cxd4 and ...Nf6.
  • Develop the f8 bishop to c5 or e7 and castle short as soon as possible.
  • Against 4.c4, take with ...dxc4 and support the extra pawn with ...e5.
  • Keep the d5 pawn protected: the g2 bishop and c4 will both attack it.

Plans and pawn structure

Black has a broad center with c5 and d5, and White's plan is to attack it. With 4.d4, White opens lines and targets d5 with c4 and the g2 bishop. Black supports with ...e6 and ...Nf6, then develops ...Bc5 or ...Be7. In the 4.c4 lines, the center opens fast and both sides fight for c4. White's long diagonal pressure is the main asset; Black's space is the counterweight.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.37: a slight edge for White. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +0.37 4.d4 e6 5.O-O cxd4 6.Nxd4 Nf6
  2. −0.29 4.c4 dxc4 5.Na3 e5 6.Nxc4 f6
  3. −0.31 4.O-O e5 5.c4 dxc4 6.Qa4 Bd7

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

1,261 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 52.4%.

under 120048.8%
1200–159947.1%
1600–199950.0%
2000 and up59.4%

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

Where it goes next

How to play against it

As Black, keep d5 solid with ...e6 or ...e5. Do not let White's bishop on g2 open up the long diagonal for free. Develop quickly and castle before trading in the center, and meet 4.c4 with ...dxc4 and ...e5. Keep the c5 pawn supported.

Questions

What are the moves of the King's Indian Attack: French Variation?

The King's Indian Attack: French Variation starts 1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 c5 3.Bg2 Nc6. Its ECO code is A08.

Is the King's Indian Attack: French Variation good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.37 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for White. In 1,261 lichess games from our sample, White scored 52.4%. A space-grabbing choice for Black players who like central control; White needs active play to justify the fianchetto.

What is the main idea of the King's Indian Attack: French Variation?

Black builds a strong center with ...c5, ...d5 and ...Nc6. White targets it with d4 or c4 and uses the g2 bishop's pressure on d5.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is d4, with c4 and O-O close behind. 4.d4 hits c5 and opens the long diagonal for the g2 bishop.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.