French: KIA 2.d3 d5 - King’s Indian Attack
French: King’s Indian Attack (KIA), 2.d3 d5
Definition
“French: KIA 2.d3 d5” is shorthand for a specific branch of the French Defence in which
White chooses the King’s Indian Attack (KIA) move-order. The defining sequence is:
1.e4 e6 2.d3 d5.
• “French” indicates Black’s choice of 1…e6.
• “KIA” (King’s Indian Attack) describes White’s strategic setup, resembling the
King’s Indian Defence but with colors reversed.
• “2.d3” is White’s quiet second move, eschewing the main line 2.d4.
• “d5” is Black’s principled reply, staking a claim in the center.
How It Is Used in Chess
The line is primarily a system opening: White aims for familiar structures and piece placements rather than concrete move-by-move theory. Typical follow-up moves are 3.Nd2, 4.Ngf3, 5.g3, 6.Bg2, 7.0-0, and 8.Re1, after which White will try for an e4–e5 break or a kingside pawn storm with h2-h4-h5. Black, on the other hand, has a variety of plans, most commonly:
- …c5 and possibly …Nc6, leading to a French-like IQP/isolated structures.
- …Nf6 and …Be7/…Bb4 followed by castling short, keeping the position solid.
- …g6, transposing to a Pirc/Modern set-up where the center remains fluid.
Strategic Significance
- Flexibility for White. By delaying d2–d4, White keeps the light-squared bishop on c1 flexible and can choose the optimal moment to challenge the center.
- Reduced Theory. Compared to the heavily analysed main lines after 2.d4, the 2.d3 KIA sidesteps most French-Defence theory.
- King-side Initiative. The typical KIA plan of Nf1–h2–g4 and a pawn storm (h4–h5, g4–g5) can generate a swift kingside attack if Black castles short.
- Risk vs. Reward. White concedes space in the centre early on; if Black reacts accurately, they can secure a comfortable game with harmonious piece play.
Historical Background
The KIA became popular in the 1950s and 60s, used by American grandmasters such as
Bobby Fischer and Larry Evans as a universal system against various defences. Fischer’s
attraction lay in its portable
nature: the same set-up could be played versus the
French, Sicilian, and Caro-Kann. The exact move-order with 1.e4 e6 2.d3, however, is a
later refinement designed to provoke …d5 before committing the d-pawn. Modern proponents
include Hikaru Nakamura and, in rapid time controls, Magnus Carlsen, who value its
surprise factor.
Illustrative Example
The miniature below shows a thematic KIA kingside assault. Moves are in PGN:
[[Pgn| 1.e4|e6|2.d3|d5|3.Nd2|Nf6|4.Ngf3|Be7|5.g3|c5|6.Bg2|Nc6|7.0-0|0-0|8.Re1|b5| 9.e5|Nd7|10.Nf1|a5|11.h4|b4|12.N1h2|a4|13.h5|h6|14.Ng4|Re8|15.Bf4|Bf8| 16.Qd2|Ba6|17.Bxh6|gxh6|18.Nf6+|Nxf6|19.exf6|Qxf6|20.Rab1|c4|21.d4| | arrows|e5d6,g4f6,h5h6| ]]Key motifs to notice:
- White’s knight manoeuvre Nf3–Nf1–h2–g4–f6 aimed straight at the black king.
- The pawn storm h4–h5–h6 softens up g- and h-files for piece infiltration.
- Black’s queenside expansion with …b5-b4-a4 gained space but failed to create a decisive breakthrough before White’s attack landed.
Typical Move Orders
There are two major branching points for Black after 1.e4 e6 2.d3 d5:
- 2…d5 3.Nd2
- 3…c5 4.Ngf3 Nc6 5.g3 Nf6 6.Bg2 Be7 –> A pseudo-Tarrasch structure.
- 3…Nf6 4.Ngf3 c5 5.g3 Nc6 6.Bg2 Be7 –> Classical French themes.
- 2…d5 3.Qe2 (the “Fischer move”)
- 3…Nf6 4.Nf3 Be7 5.g3 0-0 6.Bg2 b6 –> Black adopts a Hedgehog set-up.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- Bobby Fischer famously beat GM Robert Byrne (New York 1963) with a KIA against the French, though via 1.Nf3 rather than 2.d3.
- Because the line can transpose to Pirc/Modern structures, databases sometimes classify it under A07 or B10, so searching for games requires multiple ECO codes.
- The KIA move-order is a favorite weapon in chess960, where sticking to familiar pawn structures is more important than memorizing theory.
Practical Tips
- Know Your Plans, Not Lines. Memorize standard piece placements (Nbd2, Nf1, g3, Bg2, Re1) and thematic pawn breaks (e4-e5, g3-g4, h4-h5).
- Watch Black’s Center. If Black delays …c5, consider d3-d4 to seize space.
- Time Your Pawn Storm. Only launch h4–h5 after completing development; premature attacks can backfire if Black counters in the centre.
Conclusion
The French: KIA 2.d3 d5 is a strategically rich sideline that offers White a low-theory, plan-oriented battle while giving Black fair chances to claim the centre and out-maneuver White’s flexible formation. Its historical pedigree, from Fischer to Nakamura, ensures it will remain a popular practical weapon at all levels.