Indian Defense: Seirawan Attack

Indian Defense: Seirawan Attack

Definition

The Seirawan Attack is a branch of the various Indian Defenses that arises after the move-order 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.Bg5. White develops the bishop to g5 early—pinning (or at least irritating) the f6-knight—before committing the c-pawn. The line is named after American grandmaster Yasser Seirawan, who was one of its most consistent practitioners in the 1980s and 1990s.

Typical Move Order

The critical position is usually reached in one of two ways:

• 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.Bg5 (pure Seirawan Attack).
• 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.d4 g6 3.Bg5 (reversed move-order often chosen by English-opening players).

If Black plays …e6 instead of …g6, the same 3.Bg5 idea is known as the Torre Attack. Against …g6 it acquires a separate ECO label (A48) and the honorary title “Seirawan Attack.”

Strategic Ideas for White

• Early Irritation. Pinning the f6-knight hampers Black’s customary …d6–…e5 or …d6–…c5 pawn breaks in the King’s Indian.
• Flexibility. Because the c-pawn is still on c2, White can later choose between c2-c4 (entering more mainstream Queen’s Pawn positions) or c2-c3 (heading for solid Colle-style structures).
• Quick Development. White often plays Nbd2, e3, Bd3, 0-0 and sometimes c4 or Re1, keeping the center intact while eyeing e4.
• Reduced Theory. Compared with heavily-analysed King’s Indian main lines, the Seirawan Attack allows White to steer play into comparatively unexplored channels.

Strategic Ideas for Black

• Break the Pin. …h6 followed by …g5 and …Bg7–g7-h8 can expel the bishop and seize space on the kingside.
• Counter-centre. …d5 or …c5 strikes back in the centre before White completes e3 and c3/c4.
• Fianchetto Pressure. After 3…Bg7 Black ignores the pin and relies on long-term pressure down the long diagonal and central breaks.

Historical Background

Although occasional games with 3.Bg5 date back to the 1920s (e.g., Rubinstein and Réti), the variation gained real traction only when Yasser Seirawan began employing it with excellent results against strong opposition. His successes inspired further analysis, and by the mid-1990s players such as Anand, Kramnik, Shirov and Topalov had tested the line from both sides.

Illustrative Game

Seirawan’s own handling is a good model. In the following rapid game he diffuses Black’s kingside ambitions and gradually takes over the centre.

White maintains a rock-solid centre and, after exchanging on f6, follows up with dxe5 and c4, obtaining a pleasant space advantage.

Common Plans & Set-ups

1. Quiet Centre: d4-e3-c3 with Nbd2 & Bd3 (resembling a Colle System).
2. Delayed c4: Only play c4 after Black commits …d5, aiming for an improved QGD.
3. Kingside Initiative: h4-h5 in positions where …h6 weakens g6.
4. Exchange on f6: Bg5xf6 doubling Black’s f-pawns, then c4 or e4 strikes.

Example Trap

After 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.Bg5 Bg7 4.Nbd2 d5 5.e3 c5 6.c3 c4? White can catch Black after 7.b3! opening lines; if 7…cxb3 8.Qxb3 and Black’s c-pawn falls while the dark-squared bishop is stifled.

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

• The Seirawan Attack often transposes into the London System if White later plays Bf4, or into a Torre Attack if Black switches to …e6 instead of …g6. Flexibility is the key selling point.
• Yasser Seirawan humorously dubbed the line “the poor man’s Torre” in lectures, because it saves the Torre player from learning the sharp King’s Indian theory.
• Computer engines evaluate the starting position after 3.Bg5 as roughly equal, but practical statistics on major servers show White scoring slightly above 55%, largely because many King’s Indian specialists prefer theoretical main lines and meet the surprise poorly.
• Because the move 3.Bg5 is played before c2-c4, Black cannot employ the Grünfeld Defense—one of the main motives behind White’s choice.

When to Use the Seirawan Attack

Choose this variation if you:

• Favor solid pawn structures with a low theoretical burden.
• Want to avoid the enormous King’s Indian main-line labyrinth.
• Like to keep transpositional possibilities open (London, Colle, Torre).
• Enjoy squeezing with small but persistent positional edges rather than sharp tactical melees.

Key Takeaways

• The Seirawan Attack begins with an early Bg5 against …g6 setups.
• It frustrates Black’s standard King’s Indian plans and offers White a flexible platform.
• Named after GM Yasser Seirawan, it remains a practical surprise weapon at all levels.