Kingside Variation

The Kingside Variation of the Zukertort Defense arises after 1. Nf3 Nh6 2. d4 g6. It combines the rim knight with a fianchetto of the king's bishop. From h6 the knight can head for f5 to press on d4, and the long diagonal stays clear for the bishop. Engine analysis gives White a clear advantage. The most common reply is 3. e4, which builds a broad center, while 3. e3 and 3. c4 are also seen. The line is rare and has little established theory.