Openings compared · Black
Pirc vs King's Indian Defense
Both use the same setup for Black (...d6, ...Nf6, ...g6, ...Bg7 and castling) and let White take the centre first. The Pirc is played against 1.e4, the King's Indian against 1.d4 and c4.
Last updated
touch_appPlay both: the Pirc Defense, then the King's Indian Defense. Make each move for Black; the coach explains as you go.
Pirc vs King's Indian Defense: the quick answer
Both use the same setup for Black (...d6, ...Nf6, ...g6, ...Bg7 and castling) and let White take the centre first. The Pirc is played against 1.e4, the King's Indian against 1.d4 and c4. In the Pirc White has e4 and d4 at once and can attack quickly (for example with f4), so it is riskier; in the King's Indian White gets an even bigger centre (c4, d4 and e4), and Black usually strikes at it with ...e5, then often attacks on the kingside.
The key differences
- First move: the Pirc answers 1.e4; the King's Indian answers 1.d4 (with c4).
- White's centre: in the Pirc it is e4 and d4; in the King's Indian it is usually c4, d4 and e4.
- Danger: against the Pirc, White can attack fast with f4 and f5 or Be3, Qd2 and Bh6; Black must strike back with ...c5 or ...e5 in time.
- Learning: the plans carry over: if you know one, the other's ideas feel familiar.
Where they start
They don't share a first move: the Pirc Defense starts 1.e4 d6 and the King's Indian Defense starts 1.d4 Nf6. What they share is the plan, not the move order.
The Pirc Defense, move by move
- 1. e4
White opens.
- 1... d6
1...d6, flexible.
- 2. d4
White takes the center.
- 2... Nf6
2...Nf6 attacks e4 right away.
- 3. Nc3
White defends e4.
- 3... g6
3...g6, then ...Bg7, ...O-O, and a break with ...e5 or ...c5.
Who should play it: Players who like hypermodern ideas and unbalanced positions, and who want to avoid main-line 1.e4 e5 theory.
The King's Indian Defense, move by move
- 1. d4
Queen's pawn.
- 1... Nf6
1...Nf6 develops and stops e4 for now.
- 2. c4
White grabs space.
- 2... g6
2...g6 prepares ...Bg7.
- 3. Nc3
White prepares e4.
- 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.
What happens in real games
Pirc Defense, after 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 (9,815,948 games): Nf3 in 24% of games (White wins 48%, draws 5%, Black wins 47%); f4 in 18% of games (White wins 51%, draws 5%, Black wins 44%).
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%).
Source: Lichess opening explorer, rapid and blitz games rated 1600-2200, fetched 2026-11-06.
Solve puzzles from both openings
extension12 rated puzzles from real games that began with the Pirc Defense or the King's Indian Defense, in three levels. Every one checked by Stockfish. No account needed.
Beginner · under 1200
- White to move, rated 1,082 · Lichess tsV8q
- Black to move, rated 1,091 · Lichess tJ1iW
- Black to move, rated 1,133 · Lichess 9kjoP
- Black to move, rated 1,138 · Lichess NBpYt
Improver · 1200–1599
- Black to move, rated 1,343 · Lichess uWKVC
- White to move, rated 1,367 · Lichess 7RG65
- White to move, rated 1,377 · Lichess FKOKw
- Black to move, rated 1,476 · Lichess Xcsan
Intermediate · 1600+
- Black to move, rated 1,608 · Lichess EO152
- Black to move, rated 1,613 · Lichess izQSI
- White to move, rated 1,615 · Lichess 0M90o
- Black to move, rated 1,893 · Lichess diUQf
Puzzles from the Lichess puzzle database (CC0), each checked by Stockfish.