Anglo-Indian Defense, King's Indian Formation

The King's Indian Formation arises after 1. c4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6. Black prepares ...Bg7 and a King's Indian-style setup. Unlike the King's Indian Defense proper, White has not yet committed the d-pawn, so the choice between an early d4, a kingside fianchetto or another structure remains open. That flexibility is the main reason White reaches this position by the English move order. Play often drifts into King's Indian territory, and 3. d4 transposes directly to the King's Knight Variation of the King's Indian Defense: Normal Variation.

The most popular reply is 3. Nc3, followed by 3. g3. After 3. g3, the reply 3...d5 produces the Grünfeld Formation. The alternative 3...b6 4. Bg2 Bb7 is the Double Fianchetto, in which Black places both bishops on the long diagonals. The rare 3. b4 turns the game into the English Orangutan. Play is generally transpositional and maneuvering rather than forcing. The engine gives White a slight edge, and White scores somewhat better than Black in practice, although the results after 3. d4 are close to even.