Opening Simulator - King's Indian Defence by Esben Lund and Andreas Skytte Hagen (Paperback)

This Opening Simulator - King's Indian Defence by Esben Lund and Andreas Skytte Hagen is an English-language chess book built around one of the most popular and dynamic answers to 1.d4. Instead of moving through the opening as a simple line-by-line repertoire, it teaches the King's Indian Defence through reading, solving and playing through typical positions.

The book focuses on understanding the opening’s key ideas, pawn structures and tactical motifs, rather than memorising moves in isolation. That makes it a practical choice for players who want to study the King's Indian Defence, prepare to play it, or learn how to meet it from the other side of the board.

How the Opening Simulator method works

This title uses the Deliberate Practice approach: first you get a clear introduction to the main variations, typical plans and structures, then you move on to 400 carefully selected exercises. The format is designed to support opening study, calculation, pattern recognition and decision-making at the board.

Unlike a standard puzzle collection, every exercise comes from positions characteristic of the King's Indian Defence. That keeps the training tightly focused on the opening itself and makes the book relevant whether you are adding it to your own repertoire or preparing to face it as an opponent.

About the authors

Andreas Skytte Hagen is a Danish International Master with a grandmaster norm and an experienced King's Indian practitioner. He created the Opening Simulator concept.

Esben Lund is a Danish International Master, author and coach. As a 1.d4 player, he brings the perspective of someone who has faced the King's Indian Defence from the White side, which helps the book cover both sides of the opening well.

Edition information

• Product type: chess book
• Opening: King's Indian Defence
• Method: Deliberate Practice
• Exercises: 400 carefully selected exercises
• Language: English
• Format: paperback
• Authors: Esben Lund, Andreas Skytte Hagen
• Pages: 272
• Publication date: 31 July 2019
• Paperback ISBN: 978-1-78483-081-6
• Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-78483-082-3