Theoria
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King's Indian Defense

Orthodox Variation, Ukrainian Defense

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  1. 1.d4Nf6
  2. 2.c4g6
  3. 3.Nc3Bg7
  4. 4.e4d6
  5. 5.Nf3O-O
  6. 6.Be2e5
  7. 7.O-Oa5
104 games53%40%

A rare King's Indian Orthodox sideline in which Black answers 7. O-O with 7...a5, restraining White's queenside expansion before committing a knight.

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About the Ukrainian Defense

The Ukrainian Defense, 7...a5, postpones the usual ...Nc6 in favor of a rook-pawn move that discourages White's b4 expansion and can prepare ...Na6-c5 once the center is closed. White's three main replies occur about equally often: 8. Be3 keeps the central tension, 8. d5 locks the center, and 8. dxe5 releases it. The line is seldom played, and engines give White a slight edge.

Popular continuations