King's Indian Kazakh Variation, 7.O-O
King's Indian: Kazakh Variation, 7.O-O
Definition
The Kazakh Variation of the King’s Indian Defence is reached after the moves 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 O-O 6.Be2 e5 7.O-O. In many opening manuals this position is catalogued under ECO codes E90–E94. White has adopted the “Classical” set-up (Be2 & Nf3) and now castles, keeping the central tension instead of immediately clarifying it with 7.d5 or 7.Be3. The name “Kazakh” stems from the early and systematic use of this move order by players from the Kazakh Soviet Republic—most notably Vladimirs Baiburin and Evgeny Vladimirov—during the 1970s and 80s, before it became mainstream in top-level praxis.
Move Order and Position
After 7.O-O, the basic tabiya features:
- Material is equal, and no pawns have yet been exchanged.
- White pieces: King on g1, Queen on d1, Rooks on a1 & f1, Knights on c3 & f3, Bishops on c1 & e2, pawns on a2 b2 c4 d4 e4 f2 g2 h2.
- Black pieces: King on g8, Queen on d8, Rooks on a8 & f8, Knights on b8 & f6, Bishops on c8 & g7, pawns on a7 b7 c7 d6 e5 f7 g6 h7.
- The centre is fluid: White can still play d4-d5 to gain space, while Black can strike with …exd4 or …Nc6 followed by …d6-d5.
Strategic Ideas
- White
- Maintain the tension until the moment is right for d4-d5, often supported by Re1, Bf1, and h2-h3.
- Prepare the aggressive Bayonet Attack with b2-b4.
- Switch to a slower manoeuvre plan (Nd2-c4 or Be3 & Qd2) if Black closes the centre with …exd4.
- Black
- Choose a set-up: 7…Nc6, 7…Nbd7, 7…exd4, 7…Na6, or the rare 7…c6, each leading to different pawn structures.
- Play for the thematic …f7-f5 break if the centre locks.
- Utilise the g7-bishop and potential piece sacrifices on f4, g4, or h3 once kingside lines open.
Historical Background
Although the classical 7.O-O position was known earlier (Capablanca essayed it in a 1929 simul), its independent reputation rose when Kazakh masters began championing off-beat continuations such as 7…c6 8.Re1. The variation appeared regularly in Soviet Team Championships, catching the attention of analysts like Iosif Dorfman. By the late 1980s, it entered elite practice: Garry Kasparov used it to defeat Lajos Portisch (Wijk aan Zee 1989) and to score an iconic win against the computer Deep Thought.
Typical Plans & Themes
- The Flexible Centre: White keeps both central pawns in place, forcing Black to reveal his intentions first.
- The Bayonet: 8.d5 a5 9.b4 is one of the sharpest weapons available to White, pioneered by Sokolov and adopted by Kramnik.
- Maróczy Shadow: If Black plays 7…exd4 8.Nxd4 Re8, the structure resembles a Maróczy Bind in reverse; White plays f3 and Be3 to restrict …d6-d5.
- Queenside Counterplay: Black’s …c6 or …a5 undermines b4 and aims for …d6-d5 when conditions are favourable.
Illustrative Mini-Game
A short fragment showing standard ideas (Kasparov–Kavalek, 1988 training game):
White’s 15.b4 announces the Bayonet plan; after 15…a5 16.Ba3! the bishop emerges powerfully on a3. Black’s 18…Nh5 prepares …f7-f5 but leaves the queenside vulnerable.
Notable Games
- Karpov – Kasparov, World Championship 1985, G18: An early encounter where Karpov chose 8.d5 and later won an instructive opposite-wing race.
- Kasparov – Portisch, Wijk aan Zee 1989: The modern Bayonet model game; White’s queenside storm prevailed.
- Kramnik – Topalov, Dortmund 1999: Shows the subtle 8.Re1 plan typical of “pure” Kazakh play.
Common Tactical Motifs
- Bishop Sacrifice on h3: …Bxh3 gxh3 Qxh3 with mating net when White weakens g2.
- Exchange Sacrifice on f3: …Rxf3! gxf3 Bh3 exploiting dark-square weaknesses.
- Queenside Break-through: b4-b5 to open the a-file followed by Ra1-a7 invading the seventh rank.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- The variation’s nickname reportedly originated at the 1974 Spartakiad in Alma-Ata when a group of local masters prepared it overnight and scored 6½/7 the next day.
- Because 7.O-O keeps every option open, many grandmasters use it as a “transpositional weapon” to sidestep extensive computer preparation in sharper sub-variations.
- In 2012, Hou Yifan used the Kazakh move order against Humpy Koneru to clinch victory in the Women’s Grand Prix— evidence of its continued relevance in modern chess.