1. e4 d6
2. d4 Nf6
3. Nc3 g6
4. Be3 Bg7
5. Qd2 O-O
6. Bh6 Bxh6
7. Qxh6 e5
8. O-O-O exd4
9. Qh5 Nc6

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Key strategic ideas

  • Black plays ...d6 and ...Nf6, letting White build a big centre. Black then plans to undermine it with ...c5 or ...e5.
  • The main difference from the King's Indian is that Black does not commit to ...g6 immediately, keeping more options open.
  • White's most dangerous plan is the Austrian Attack (4.f4). White builds a massive centre and attacks directly on the kingside.

Common mistakes & traps

  • In the Austrian Attack (1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.f4 Bg7 5.Nf3 O-O 6.e5!), the pawn push can catch Black off guard. If Black captures 6...dxe5 7.dxe5 Ng4 8.Bc4, White has a dangerous attack.
  • The Classical line (4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Be2 O-O 6.O-O) looks quiet, but Black must not play passively. Playing ...Bg4 and ...Nc6 with ...e5 is the correct way to counter.

Pawn structure notes

White has an e4-d4 centre against Black's d6. The centre can explode with ...e5 or ...c5 breaks. Black's king is well hidden behind the g6 pawn and Bg7 bishop.

Tips

  • The 150 Attack (Be3-Qd2-Bh6) aims to remove Black's fianchettoed bishop, the key defender
  • White castles queenside and launches a pawn storm against the black king
  • A sharp, principled line that punishes slow development by Black

About this line

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