Defending vs. "Two Knights"

I play against a friend on a regular basis, and he always tends to open with a "two knights" defense when playing white. Instead of attacking the center, I try to play a defensive game such as the king's indian, like below. However, this makes me cornered, and by the time he's developed his bishops, I have few options for development. I'm always unsure how to continue. Any suggestions after this point? Or should I try a different opening with black?

Eventually you will have to undermine white's center. I think the most logical choice s by playing ... c5. From the position above you can probably play 0-0, Nbd7, and c5. I don't see how white is going to overrun you, but it's chess so of course it will be hard.

I might even try being more aggressive from the get go by putting a pawn out to the center.  If he starts with e4, I'd go e5 probably.  I don't really know a good reason why you wouldn't want to put a pawn to the fifth row right off the bat.

What is it that makes you not do such a move?

You are playing the Pirc Defence (google it, there is a mass of information out there) and how you proceed depends to a certain extent on what white does. Since white has played Nf3 you will not have to face the Austrain Attack (f4) which can be painful. In general black looks to the queenside for counterplay to undermine white's centre. Black will often play c6 followed by b5, aiming at the knight on c6. Black can also play Bg4 to remove the knight on f3. Essentially, black operates against the centre by removing or displacing the guarding knights. The Pirc and its close relation, the Modern Defence (Robatsch Defence if outside UK), are fun if you like that sort of thing (I do) but it can go horribly wrong for black if he does not actively seek to undermine that centre.

All right, thanks!

@adam,

I usually try to play defense, especially on black, since I have an absolutely horrid opening game. I seem to start a pawn or two behind from stupid blunders in the opening.

@Loomis,

Supposing I played c5, and after the pawn captures, would the queen trade be appropriate for this?

@Sharukin,

Thanks for the tip on the actual name ! Being able to google it has brought up some nice tips, and wikipedia.com gave me some good sample games to check out.

Thanks!

scatman, Notice that I suggested Nbd7 and 0-0 before c5. If white wants to trade queens there it doesn't seem to hurt you. Although playing c5 right away and allowing the queen trade when black has to recapture with the king isn't a terrible position for black either.