Why give up the center? The Dragon Bishop explained

Key Ideas

The Bg7 bishop attacks the long diagonal
Black will strike with ...e5 or ...f5
0-0 connects rooks and prepares counterplay

The King's Indian gives White a big center. Black's plan is to let White overextend, then strike with ...e5 or ...f5. The g7 bishop is the 'Dragon Bishop' on the long diagonal.

Critical Moves

...Bg7 — The Dragon Bishop
...0-0 — Castle and connect
...e5 or ...f5 — The counterstrike

Common Mistakes

Playing ...d5 too early (blocking the bishop)
Forgetting to castle