10 Strategic Patterns to Master the King’s Indian Defense

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00:00 Intro
01:17 Taimanov - Najdorf, 1953
02:42 Pattern 1
04:36 Pattern 2
07:02 Pattern 3
09:31 Pattern 4
13:05 Pattern 5
14:46 Pattern 6
15:54 Pattern 7
18:15 Pattern 8
19:27 Pattern 9
22:07 Pattern 10
25:20 Eljanov - Radjabov, 2008
33:07 Homework

This video introduces the key strategic ideas that every King’s Indian Defense player must internalize to grow beyond surface-level understanding. Instead of focusing on specific lines, it emphasizes recognizing positional patterns—such as how pawn structures define plans, how piece activity is shaped by space and tension, and how to build up play without prematurely committing. These patterns recur across countless games and offer a mental map for navigating complex positions.

A central theme is the relationship between pawn breaks and piece coordination—knowing when to keep tension, when to release it, and how to activate previously passive pieces. The video also highlights the importance of multi-purpose moves, the hidden value of dynamic piece placement, and the long-term payoff of small, strategic decisions. By focusing on these conceptual chunks, players develop a deeper intuition for the King’s Indian that goes far beyond rote memorization.