King's Indian Attack: Keres Variation
The Keres Variation is 1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 Bg4, where Black develops the light-squared bishop before closing it in with ...e6. Black aims for a compact setup with ...c6 and ...e6, while White plans Bg2, castling and a later c4 or Ne5 to question the bishop.
- Moves
- 1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 Bg4
- ECO
- A07
- Engine
- +0.21 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 711 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 56.0%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- Develop with 3.Bg2, the engine's choice, then castle and play d3 or d4.
- Use c4 to attack d5; if ...Bxf3, recapture with the e-pawn and grab the bishop pair.
- Ne5 can hit the bishop on g4 and put pressure on the f7 square.
- h3 asks the bishop to decide: take on f3 or retreat along the diagonal.
Black
- Play ...e6 and ...c6 to support d5 and keep the center closed.
- Develop the g8 knight to f6 or e7, then castle short behind it.
- Use ...Bxf3 when White's c4 or Ne5 makes the bishop on g4 awkward.
- ...Nd7 supports a later ...e5 and keeps the bishop safe from Ne5 tricks.
Plans and pawn structure
Black's light-squared bishop is active on g4, which is the main point of the line. White responds with Bg2, castling and either d3 with e4 or c4 against the center. Black builds a structure with no weak pawns with ...e6, ...c6 and ...Nf6. If Black trades the bishop for the f3 knight, White gets the bishop pair but a slightly loose kingside. The middlegame is about central control and how White uses the bishop pair.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.21: level. Its three top choices for White:
- +0.21 3.Bg2 e6 4.O-O c6 5.d3 Bd6
- +0.16 3.d4 e6 4.Bg2 Nf6 5.c4 c6
- +0.11 3.c4 Bxf3 4.exf3 e6 5.d4 Ne7
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
711 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 56.0%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
How to play against it
As White, play Bg2 and castle. Use c4 or Ne5 to question the bishop. Do not rush to play h3 if it only provokes ...Bxf3 with a good structure for Black, and keep d4 or d3 flexible until Black commits.
Other lines with this name
The lichess opening list also files these lines under the same name, though they reach a different position: 1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 Bg4 3.Bg2 Nd7; 1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 c6 3.Bg2 Bg4 4.O-O Nd7; 1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 c6 3.Bg2 Bg4 4.O-O Nd7 5.d4 Ngf6 6.c4 e6 7.cxd5 exd5 8.Nc3 Bd6.
Questions
What are the moves of the King's Indian Attack: Keres Variation?
The King's Indian Attack: Keres Variation starts 1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 Bg4. Its ECO code is A07.
Is the King's Indian Attack: Keres Variation good for Black?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.21 at depth 20, which is level. In 711 lichess games from our sample, White scored 56.0%. A solid choice for Black players who like a stable center; White keeps a small edge with patient play.
What is the main idea of the King's Indian Attack: Keres Variation?
Black develops the light-squared bishop early, then builds a solid center with ...e6 and ...c6. White plans Bg2, castling and c4 or Ne5 to question the bishop.
What should White play next?
The engine's first choice is Bg2, with d4 and c4 close behind. 3.Bg2 develops and prepares short castling before deciding on c4 or d4.
Related lines
- King's Indian Attack
- Symmetrical Defense
- French Variation
- Sicilian Variation
- Wahls Defense
- Yugoslav Variation
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.