King's Indian: 4.e4 d6 5.Bd3 O-O 6.Nge2
King's Indian: 4.e4 d6 5.Bd3 O-O 6.Nge2
Definition
This line arises from the King’s Indian Defence (KID) after the moves 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Bd3 O-O 6.Nge2. Compared with the far more common Classical systems (where White plays 5.Nf3 and 6.Be2), White develops the king’s knight to e2 rather than f3. The move 5.Bd3 also differs from the “Gligorić” plan (5.Nf3), giving this variation its own strategic stamp.
How the Line Is Used
• Flexibility in the center: By withholding Nf3, White keeps the f-pawn free for an eventual f2-f3 or f2-f4,
reinforcing e4 or gaining space.
• Avoiding heavy theory: Black specialists often rely on well-trodden Classical main lines.
6.Nge2 sidesteps them and forces Black to make independent decisions.
• Rapid kingside expansion: Because the knight on e2 does not block the g-pawn, ideas such as g2-g4 (after h2-h3) can
appear, echoing themes from the Sämisch but without committing to an early f-pawn advance.
Typical Plans and Themes
- White aims for a solid but flexible pawn center with d4–e4, often expanding by f2-f3 or d4-d5 to cramp Black’s pieces.
- Black chooses setups familiar from other KID branches: …e5 followed by …Nc6/…Na6, or the modern 6…c5 striking at d4. The choice hinges on whether Black prefers classical kingside play or Benoni-style structures.
- The dark-square bishop on d3 eyes h7, allowing sacrificial motifs (Bxh7+) if Black is careless.
- Because Nf3 has not been played, the standard KID tactic …exd4 Nxd4 Nxe4 is not possible, reducing Black’s tactical counter-chances in the early middlegame.
Historical & Strategic Significance
The line never reached the popularity of the Classical 5.Nf3 systems, yet it has been adopted by players seeking a practical weapon against deeply prepared KID experts. In the 1970s Tigran Petrosian and Lajos Portisch tested it; in the computer era, grandmasters such as Michael Adams, Pentala Harikrishna, and even Magnus Carlsen (in rapid/blitz) have employed it successfully, confirming its soundness.
Common Black Replies After 6.Nge2
- 6…e5 – the “Classical” counter-strike. Play may continue 7.O-O Nc6 8.d5 Nd4 or 7.O-O exd4 8.Nxd4. White keeps control of e4 and can later maneuver Nc3-e2-g3 to bolster the center.
- 6…c5 – an immediate Benoni structure. After 7.d5 e6, the position resembles a Modern Benoni where the bishop on d3 is excellently placed.
- 6…Na6 – a waiting move keeping options open for …e5 or …c5, and possibly landing the knight on c5.
- 6…Nbd7 – a solid approach intending …e5 without allowing a piece sacrifice on g4 or h5.
Illustrative Mini-Game
The following rapid game shows the strategic ideas in action. White clamps the center, then rolls the kingside pawns.
White sacrificed on move 29 to open the g-file, a common theme when the bishop sits on d3 and the knight is not on f3.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- The move 5.Bd3 was a favorite “pet line” of Hungarian GM Gyula Sax, who scored several upset wins versus top Soviet KID specialists.
- Because the ECO codes E80–E89 cover the 5.Nf3 Classical systems, this off-beat 5.Bd3/6.Nge2 sequence is filed under the relatively unused code E71, making it the “hidden corner” of KID theory databases.
- Engines initially gave Black comfortable equality, but modern neural-network evaluations (Leela Zero, Stockfish NNUE) now rate the position around +0.20 for White, validating the line’s strategic potential.
Practical Tips
- White players should memorize ideas rather than moves: keep the center solid, look for f2-f3 or g2-g4 breaks, and use Nd1-f2-g3 to reroute pieces.
- Black should react dynamically; passive setups allow White to slowly steam-roll the kingside.
- In blitz and rapid, this variation is especially effective because many KID defenders expect the theoretical 5.Nf3 lines and burn time choosing a plan.