King's Indian Defence: Four Pawns Attack
Also known as Four Pawns Attack
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.f4
The most aggressive answer to the King's Indian: White plants pawns on c4, d4, e4 and f4, grabbing huge space and threatening a kingside steamroller. It is double-edged – the broad centre is powerful but can become a target if Black's counterplay with ...c5 or ...e5 hits home.
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What it does
After the usual King's Indian moves White adds 5.f4, building a wall of four pawns abreast across the board. This grabs maximum central space and prepares to advance with e5 or f5, opening attacking lines towards Black's king. In return White accepts a less flexible, slightly loosened position: the f-pawn's advance weakens the e4-point and the king's shelter, so the centre must either crash through or be defended accurately.
When to use it
Choose the Four Pawns Attack when you enjoy sharp, space-grabbing play against the King's Indian and are happy to commit to a concrete fight rather than a slow manoeuvring game. It rewards players who have studied the main lines, because Black's breaks with ...c5 and ...e5 force precise responses. It is an excellent practical weapon at club level, where opponents may not know how to challenge the big centre correctly.
Why it works
The four-pawn front cramps Black severely and gives White a ready-made attacking plan – push e5 or f5 to rip open the kingside. If Black reacts passively, the centre simply rolls forward and overwhelms. The line works because Black must time the freeing breaks ...c5 and ...e5 exactly; mistimed counterplay leaves Black squashed, while overextension by White only becomes dangerous if Black finds the right pawn lever at the right moment.
Key ideas
- Four pawns on c4-d4-e4-f4 grab maximum central space.
- White's dream is to push e5 or f5 and open the kingside.
- Black hits back with the levers ...c5 and ...e5.
- After d5 the centre locks and play becomes a race.
- The advanced f-pawn slightly loosens White's king.
- Overextension is the price of White's huge space.
Watch out
Black should not grab the e4-pawn too greedily: after a ...Re8 hitting e4, a well-timed e5 or d5-d6 wedge can open lines towards the black king. But White must also respect the ...c5/...e5 levers – meeting them carelessly (for example allowing a strong ...cxd4 with ...Qb6 or ...Ng4) can shatter the proud centre and expose White's own king.