King's Indian vs Nimzo-Indian

Both answer 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 for Black and split on move 2. The King's Indian (2...g6, ...Bg7, ...d6) lets White build a big centre and then counterattacks it, often with a kingside pawn storm: sharp and double-edged. The Nimzo-Indian (2...e6 and 3...Bb4 after 3.Nc3) pins the knight and fights for e4 with pieces: flexible and positionally sound.

• Centre: the King's Indian gives up the centre for now; the Nimzo-Indian contests e4 straight away by pinning the c3 knight.
• Bishop: the King's Indian bishop sits on g7 for the whole game; the Nimzo bishop is often traded for the c3 knight to double White's c-pawns.
• Move order: the Nimzo needs White to play 3.Nc3, so after 3.Nf3 you need another plan; the King's Indian setup works against almost any White setup.
• Risk: King's Indian games are often a race of attacks on opposite wings; Nimzo-Indian games are usually calmer and more strategic.

1. 1. d4

   Queen's pawn.

2. 1... Nf6

   1...Nf6 develops and stops e4 for now.

3. 2. c4

   White grabs space.

4. 2... g6

   2...g6 prepares ...Bg7.

5. 3. Nc3

   White prepares e4.

6. 3... Bg7

   3...Bg7. The bishop eyes the long diagonal toward d4 and b2, ready for a later ...e5 or ...c5 strike.

Who should play it: Attacking players who like to play for a win with Black against 1.d4 and are comfortable defending first, then counterattacking.

1. 1. d4

   Queen's pawn.

2. 1... Nf6

   1...Nf6.

3. 2. c4

   White expands.

4. 2... e6

   2...e6 frees the dark-squared bishop.

5. 3. Nc3

   White prepares e4.

6. 3... Bb4

   3...Bb4, the Nimzo! The c3 knight is pinned, so e4 is hard to play, and ...Bxc3 can double White's pawns.

Who should play it: Players who like flexible, piece-based play and long-term structural advantages. Rich in ideas, with less forcing theory than many main lines.

King's Indian Defense, after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 (17,020,500 games): e4 in 66% of games (White wins 50%, draws 5%, Black wins 45%); Nf3 in 17% of games (White wins 47%, draws 5%, Black wins 47%).

Nimzo-Indian Defense, after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 (11,198,557 games): Qc2 in 21% of games (White wins 49%, draws 6%, Black wins 45%); Nf3 in 16% of games (White wins 48%, draws 5%, Black wins 47%).

Source: Lichess opening explorer, rapid and blitz games rated 1600-2200, fetched 2026-11-06.