King's Indian Defense: Fianchetto Variation, Delayed Fianchetto

A flexible and solid opening for Black, focusing on controlling the center and preparing for a kingside attack.

The opening is characterized by its flexibility and solid pawn structure for Black, allowing for various plans and strategies to be employed. Black aims to control the center with their pawn on d6 and knight on f6, while the fianchettoed bishop on g7 exerts pressure on the long diagonal. White's setup with pawns on c4 and d4, knights on c3 and f3, and a fianchettoed bishop on g2, aims to control the center and prepare for a potential kingside attack.

In this variation, White delays the fianchetto of their kingside bishop, which can lead to different pawn structures and plans for both sides. This can result in a slower, more strategic game, with both players maneuvering their pieces to find the optimal setup. Black can choose to play for a break with e5 or c5, or even opt for a more aggressive kingside attack with moves like h5 and h4.

The opening is popular among players of all levels, as it offers a solid foundation for Black and can lead to rich, complex middlegames. It has been employed by many top-level players, including former World Champions Garry Kasparov and Anatoly Karpov.