← King's Indian Defense

Practice: Four Pawns Attack

Maximum central space

White occupies four central squares with pawns. A positionally ambitious approach that also carries the risk of overextension.

1. d4 Nf6
2. c4 g6
3. Nc3 Bg7
4. e4 d6
5. f4
♟

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Key strategic ideas

  • Black lets White build a big centre (e4, d4, c4) and then attacks it with pawn breaks like ...e5, ...f5, and ...g6.
  • The game often becomes a race. White attacks on the queenside (pushing c5 and b4) while Black attacks on the kingside (pushing f4 and g4). The player who breaks through first usually wins.
  • White's most dangerous plan is the Saemisch or Mar del Plata attack. Both sides castle on opposite wings and the game becomes a wild tactical fight.

Common mistakes & traps

  • Black who plays ...e5 too early can get crushed: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.dxe5 dxe5 6.Qxd8+ Kxd8. Black loses the right to castle and is in trouble.
  • In the Mar del Plata, Black's kingside attack with ...f5-f4 and ...g5-g4 is scary. But if Black overextends, White's queenside breakthrough with c5-c6 arrives first.

Pawn structure notes

White's e4-d4-c4 centre against Black's d6 and e5/f5 breaks. The centre can lock up with e5 and d5, turning the game into a flank race. Black's king is safe behind the g6 pawn and g7 bishop.

Tips

  • White's pawn centre (c4, d4, e4, f4) is impressive but can be attacked
  • Black should counterattack with ...c5 or ...e5 immediately
  • If White consolidates, the space advantage often becomes decisive

About this line

This line is rated advanced. Practice it repeatedly until you can play the entire sequence without thinking. The in-app trainer tracks your perfect streaks and celebrates milestones.