King's Indian Attack, 1. g3 – overview
King's Indian Attack (KIA)
Definition
The King’s Indian Attack is a system-based opening for White rather than a single move order. In its purest form White reaches a standard set-up: Nf3, g3, Bg2, d3, 0-0, Nbd2, e4. It mirrors the King’s Indian Defense with colors reversed and a tempo up, aiming for a flexible, resilient position that can be employed against a wide variety of Black replies such as 1…e6 (French), 1…c5 (Sicilian), 1…c6 (Caro-Kann), or 1…e5.
Typical Move Order
A common sequence against the French Defense is:
1. e4 e6 2. d3 d5 3. Nd2 Nf6 4. Ngf3 Be7 5. g3 0-0 6. Bg2 c5 7. 0-0 Nc6 8. Re1
Usage in Play
- Favored by players who enjoy system openings; knowledge of plans often outweighs raw memorization of variations.
- Can be employed as a surprise weapon to avoid an opponent’s heavy preparation in mainstream openings.
- Useful in rapid and blitz because its ideas are straightforward and recurring.
Strategic Ideas
- Kingside pawn storm: Typical thrusts include f2–f4–f5 or h2–h4–h5 to rip open lines against the black monarch.
- Central flexibility: White often keeps the central pawns fluid, choosing between e4-e5, d3-d4, or even c2-c4 depending on Black’s set-up.
- Piece placement: Knights commonly maneuver Nf3–h4–f5 or Nbd2–f1–e3–g4 aiming at f6, h6, and g5 squares.
- Long-term squeeze: If a direct attack is not feasible, White may switch to slow queenside expansion with a2–a4, c2–c3, and Qe2.
Historical Notes
The name “King’s Indian Attack” was popularized in the 1950s, but the formation appeared in the 19th century. Bobby Fischer was its most renowned modern exponent, scoring +8 =3 -0 in high-level games from 1967–1972. He famously declared, “The King’s Indian Attack is a deadly weapon if you know what you’re doing.”
Illustrative Game
Fischer – Myagmarsuren, Sousse Interzonal 1967 White’s thematic sacrifice 17. Bxh6!! tore open the black king and remains a model combination for KIA practitioners.
[[Pgn| e4|c5|Nf3|e6|d3|Nc6|g3|d5|Nbd2|Nf6|Bg2|Be7|0-0|0-0|Re1|b5|e5|Nd7|Bf4|a5|h4|a4|Nf1|b4|N1h2|Ba6|Ng4|c4|d4|b3|a3|bxc2|Qc1|Nxd4|Nxd4|Nc5|Nc6|Qd7|Nxe7+|Kh8|Bh6!!|gxh6|Qxh6+|Kg8|Qg5+|Kh8|Qf6+|Kg8|Qg5+|Kh8|Qf6+|Kg8|Re3|h6|Qg6+|fxg6|Bxf8|Rxf8 ]]Interesting Facts
- Many computer engines historically underestimated White’s attack in the KIA; several “Silicon vs Human” matches saw humans triumphing with the system well into the 2000s.
- The KIA has been nicknamed “The Fischer Attack” in club circles, though that term is unofficial.
- Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura revived the line in elite play during the 2010s, scoring notable wins against Caruana and Aronian.
1. g3 (Benko’s Opening / Hungarian Opening)
Definition
The move 1. g3 is an irregular yet fully sound first move for White. By fianchettoing the king’s bishop, White immediately claims the long diagonal (h1–a8) and keeps maximum flexibility in the center. It often transposes to other openings, such as the King’s Indian Attack, Catalan, English, or even certain Grünfeld-type structures.
Typical Continuations
- 1…d5 2. Bg2 Nf6 3. Nf3 g6 –> can transpose into a Grünfeld after 4. d4 Bg7 5. 0-0 0-0.
- 1…e5 2. Bg2 d5 –> resembles a reversed Pirc/Modern where White is a tempo up.
- 1…c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c4 –> English Opening with an early kingside fianchetto.
Usage in Play
- Transpositional weapon: Players employ 1. g3 to sidestep opponent preparation and steer the game into favored systems after seeing Black’s pawn structure.
- Hypermodern strategy: White initially cedes central occupation, intending to strike back with moves like c4, d4, or e4 at an opportune moment.
Strategic Significance
Because the move develops a bishop and controls central dark squares (d4, e5) from afar, it fits squarely within hypermodern principles. The early fianchetto also gives White a built-in safety net for the king after 0-0, making the opening popular in rapid and correspondence chess where solidity is prized.
Historical Context
The line is sometimes called the Hungarian Opening (the first recorded game was Breyer – Forgács, Budapest 1916) and later the Benko Opening after GM Pal Benko, who used it to beat Mikhail Tal (Bled 1961). In recent decades it has been championed by Richard Rapport, Adhiban Baskaran, and speed-chess specialists on major online platforms.
Illustrative Game
Benko – Tal, Bled 1961 A classic example of 1. g3 leading to rich middlegame play where the fianchettoed bishop exerted strong long-range pressure.
[[Pgn| g3|d5|Bg2|Nf6|c4|c6|Nf3|Bf5|cxd5|cxd5|Qb3|Qc7|Nc3|e6|d3|Nc6|Bf4|Qd7|Ne5|Nxe5|Bxe5|Be7|e4|dxe4|dxe4|Bg6|Rd1|Qc8|Qa4+|Kf8|0-0|Qe8 ]]Interesting Facts
- Because the ECO code family for 1. g3 is A00, some jokingly call it “the triple-zero opening.”
- Engine evaluations often start near equality, but practical results show White scoring above 55% in blitz databases—evidence of its surprise value.
- In Game 17 of the 1978 Karpov–Korchnoi World Championship, Karpov used 1. g3 to neutralize Korchnoi’s French preparation and went on to win a critical endgame.