Chessy
Playing the King's Indian Attack, with e6 as Black
After 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.g3 d5 3.Bg2 e6, the position is calm but not equal. White to move has several natural choices, and your job as Black is to meet them with sound development and the right central timing. The drill below lets you practise the exact moment where White decides between direct central play and quieter development. The engine’s preferred reply is a reminder that this opening is about accuracy, not memorising long forcing lines.
Play the King's Indian Attack, with e6 against the engine
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Create a free account →What the position is asking you to do
This opening is less about tactics and more about good structure. You have already committed to a solid centre with ...d5 and ...e6, and White has fianchettoed the bishop. That means you should focus on development, king safety, and being ready for White’s central pawn play. The key practical idea is simple: do not drift. Make a useful move, keep your position compact, and be ready to meet the central break White is likely to choose.
The engine’s choice here
Stockfish rates this +0.45, a small edge for White. That means you are slightly worse here. The engine’s best move is c4, and the listed continuation is c4 Be7 d4 O-O. That is the critical shape to understand in the drill: White can strike at the centre, and you must respond in a way that keeps your position healthy rather than passive.
What the database says White usually does
This position has been reached in 791,486 games, so it is a very well-tested tabiya. The most played continuations are O-O (493,751 games, White scores 50.9%), d3 (141,094 games, White scores 51.4%), d4 (82,159 games, White scores 48.8%), b3 (22,428 games, White scores 50.0%), c4 (14,659 games, White scores 53.0%), and c3 (8,798 games, White scores 48.4%). The practical lesson is that White has several sensible plans, so your comfort comes from understanding ideas rather than hoping for one forced line.
How to handle the common mistakes
The big danger for Black is to become too slow while White completes development and then opens the centre on good terms. If White chooses an active central push, you need to stay coordinated and avoid loosening your own king position. If White plays more quietly, keep developing and do not let White build up comfortably without challenge. In short: respect White’s central options, but do not overreact.
Results across 791,486 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| O-O | 493,751 | 50.9% |
| d3 | 141,094 | 51.4% |
| d4 | 82,159 | 48.8% |
| b3 | 22,428 | 50.0% |
| c4 | 14,659 | 53.0% |
| c3 | 8,798 | 48.4% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the King's Indian Attack, with e6 good for Black?
The position is playable, but the engine gives +0.45, which is a small edge for White. You are not lost, but you should expect to defend a slightly less pleasant position. Good development and accurate central play matter here.
What is the best move for White in this position?
The engine’s best move is c4. The continuation given is c4 Be7 d4 O-O, which shows White trying to take space in the centre while both sides finish development.
What do most players choose here?
The most played continuations are O-O, d3, d4, b3, c4, and c3. That tells you White has many natural choices, so you need a flexible plan rather than a memorised trap.
What should I focus on as Black in the drill?
Stay solid, develop smoothly, and be ready for White’s central pawn play. The position rewards patience and good coordination more than tactics, so the drill is mainly about choosing reliable moves and not falling behind in development.
How many games feature the King's Indian Attack, with e6?
Over 791K Lichess games have reached the King's Indian Attack, with e6 position. White wins 50.6%, Black wins 44.6%, with 4.8% draws — based on real rated games.