Chessy
King's Indian Attack: e6 – Your Small but Real Edge
The King's Indian Attack is a flexible, system-based opening that lets you steer the game toward your strengths rather than memorising long theory. After 1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 e6 3.Bg2, you've reached the tabiya of the e6 variation. The engine gives +0.28 — a small plus in your favour. Across over 1.26 million games White scores 51.9%, a healthy winning percentage. Below, you'll play this position against a training engine that adapts to your level. Let's look at what the statistics reveal about your best continuations, Black's most popular replies, and one inaccuracy you can try to exploit.
Play the King's Indian Attack: e6 against the engine
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Create a free account →What You're Fighting For
The King's Indian Attack: e6 is all about slow, harmonious pressure. You're not trying to blast Black off the board in the opening; you're building a sturdy setup with Bg2, O-O, and a later d4 break to fight for the centre. Your king is safe after castling, and your light-squared bishop on g2 will eye the long diagonal for the rest of the game. The +0.28 evaluation means you can play for a win without taking excessive risk — a comfortable position for any club player who prefers outplaying the opponent in the middlegame rather than navigating sharp tactical lines.
White's Best Move According to the Engine
Stockfish's top recommendation here is c5 (planning O-O, Nf6, and then d4). That move immediately questions Black's pawn centre and prepares to open the position on your terms. While c5 isn't the most-played move at club level (that honour goes to Nf6, with 451,038 games), it scores an excellent 51.9% for White — matching the overall database average. When you play the King's Indian Attack, the idea is to make principled central breaks like this one. The engine's line continues c5 O-O Nf6 d4, giving you a comfortable space advantage.
How to Handle Black's Most Popular Replies
Black has several solid responses, and knowing what each one aims for helps you stay confident. The most common reply is Nf6 (451,038 games), where White scores 50.6% — a slight dip from the average, but still above 50%. Against Nf6, your plan stays the same: castle, then push d4 when the time is right. c5 (291,082 games, 51.9% for White) is the move the engine recommends for Black — it is actually the most principled. Nc6 (128,224 games, 53.6% for White) and Bd6 (87,162 games, 53.4%) offer you even better results, so don't fear them. c6 (67,128 games, 52.5%) is also perfectly fine for you. In every case, your recipe is the same: develop naturally, castle, and keep your eye on the d4 break.
The Mistake to Watch For
One of Black's options is a genuine inaccuracy. Bc5 (42,247 games) is Black's best-scoring reply at 55.1% for White — but the engine says that number exists partly because it's not the best move. Stockfish rates Bc5 as an inaccuracy that loses roughly 0.6 pawns of evaluation compared to the superior c5. The bishop on c5 looks active, but it becomes a target after you play d4, and Black loses time retreating. If your opponent plays Bc5, you can punish it with a timely d4 push, gaining space and tempo. Practise this exact scenario in the drill below.
Results across 1,262,346 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Nf6 | 451,038 | 50.6% |
| c5 | 291,082 | 51.9% |
| Nc6 | 128,224 | 53.6% |
| Bd6 | 87,162 | 53.4% |
| c6 | 67,128 | 52.5% |
| Bc5 | 42,247 | 55.1% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the King's Indian Attack: e6 good for beginners?
Yes, it's an excellent choice for beginner and intermediate players. The setup is easy to remember (Nf3, g3, Bg2, O-O), and you avoid memorising long forced lines. White scores 51.9% across over 1.26 million games, meaning you have a statistical edge right from the start.
What is the best move for White after 1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 e6 3.Bg2?
The engine recommends **c5** as your best move, followed by O-O and then meeting Nf6 with d4. This gives you a small but stable advantage of +0.28. Among the most-played continuations, Black's most common reply is Nf6 (451,038 games), but c5 is the most principled response.
What should I do if Black plays Bc5 in the King's Indian Attack: e6?
Bc5 is actually an inaccuracy that loses about 0.6 pawns compared to the better move c5. You should punish it by playing d4 as soon as possible, kicking the bishop and gaining a space advantage. White scores 55.1% when Black plays Bc5, so this is a favourable scenario for you.
How does White score in the King's Indian Attack: e6?
Across 1,262,346 Lichess database games, White wins 51.9% of the time, with 4.6% draws and 43.5% Black wins. The position is rated +0.28 by Stockfish — a small but real advantage for White that gives you good winning chances without taking excessive risk.