Chessy
King’s Indian: Four Pawns Attack for White
The Four Pawns Attack is a direct way to grab space in the King’s Indian and ask Black immediate questions. After 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.f4, you have a broad pawn centre and a clear plan: use your space well, keep your king safe, and be ready for Black’s best active reply. Stockfish rates this +0.32, a small edge for White. That means you are slightly better here. The drill below helps you practise the first critical decision and the most common replies.
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In this opening, White chooses space over restraint. The pawns on the centre and kingside give you room to build, but they also mean your position can become loose if you ignore development. Your main job is simple: make your extra space count, avoid drifting with the king in the centre, and do not let Black get easy counterplay. This is a line where active play matters more than memorising lots of long theory.
The engine’s main recommendation
The engine’s best move here is O-O. In the line given, that continues O-O Nf3 c5 d5. The message is practical: Black wants to get moving quickly, so you should be ready to finish development and keep control of the position rather than pushing too many pawns without support. In the drill, try to recognise when your space advantage is useful and when you simply need to bring pieces into play.
What the database says
The position has been played 716,590 times in the Lichess database, so this is not a rare sideline. White wins 51.6%, draws 3.6%, and Black wins 44.8%. That is a good reminder that White’s space gives real chances, but the game is still sharp and Black is not in trouble just by reaching the position. Among the most-played continuations, O-O is the clear main road, with several active replies also appearing often.
Replies to know in the drill
You should be especially alert to the most played continuations: O-O (451,985 games, White scores 50.3%); Bg4 (65,560 games, White scores 54.5%); Nbd7 (53,752 games, White scores 55.3%); c5 (37,487 games, White scores 49.9%); e5 (25,284 games, White scores 54.3%); Nc6 (22,962 games, White scores 51.6%). The key practical point is that Black’s most active play often aims to hit the centre quickly. If you stay organised, your space can become a real advantage rather than a target.
Common mistakes to punish
The database also shows a few clear inaccuracies. Bg4 is an inaccuracy and loses about 0.8 pawns, with c5 being better. Nbd7 is an inaccuracy and loses about 0.7 pawns, again with c5 being better. Nc6 is also an inaccuracy and loses about 0.7 pawns, with c5 being better. In other words, when Black chooses a less precise developing move, you should stay alert for the chance to keep your centre intact and make the position work for you.
Results across 716,590 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| O-O | 451,985 | 50.3% |
| Bg4 | 65,560 | 54.5% |
| Nbd7 | 53,752 | 55.3% |
| c5 | 37,487 | 49.9% |
| e5 | 25,284 | 54.3% |
| Nc6 | 22,962 | 51.6% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the King's Indian: Four Pawns Attack good for White?
Yes, this exact position is a small edge for White. Stockfish rates it +0.32, and the database also shows White scoring well overall. It is still a fighting opening, so you need to play actively rather than assume the advantage wins itself.
What is White’s main idea in the Four Pawns Attack?
White grabs a lot of space in the centre and on the kingside. That gives you room for active piece play, but it also means development and king safety matter a lot. If you move too slowly, Black can challenge the centre and get counterplay.
What move does the engine want here?
The engine’s best move here is O-O. The listed continuation is O-O Nf3 c5 d5, which shows that both sides are fighting immediately for central control. In the drill, focus on recognising that Black’s counterplay comes fast.
Which Black replies should I be ready for?
The most played continuations are O-O, Bg4, Nbd7, c5, e5, and Nc6. Of those, Bg4, Nbd7, and Nc6 are all marked as inaccuracies, while c5 is the move the notes point to as better. Practically, that means you should expect active play and know that some common developing moves are not the most accurate.
How many games feature the King's Indian: Four Pawns Attack?
Over 716K Lichess games have reached the King's Indian: Four Pawns Attack position. White wins 51.6%, Black wins 44.8%, with 3.6% draws — based on real rated games.