King's Indian Defense: 4.e4 d6 5.Bd3 e5

King’s Indian Defense: 4.e4 d6 5.Bd3 e5

Definition

The sequence 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Bd3 e5 is a main-line branch of the King’s Indian Defense (KID). By playing 4.e4, White expands in the center; Black replies with 4…d6 and 5…e5, erecting the trademark KID “dark-square wall” (pawns on d6 and e5) while simultaneously preparing …Nf6–d7–c5 or a full-blown kingside attack with …f7-f5. The move 5.Bd3—sometimes called the “Classic Bishop Development”—places the king’s-bishop on an active diagonal aimed at the h7-square and is an alternative to the more popular 5.Nf3.

How the Line Is Used in Practical Play

• Against the Four-Pawn or Classical setups: White often follows with Nf3, Nge2, and f2-f3 to strengthen the center before deciding on d4-d5 or d4-dxe5.
• Black’s Plans: Typical continuations include 5…exd4 (the Panno-style exchange), 5…O-O followed by …Nc6 or …Na6, or the direct 5…Nbd7 and …c6 aiming for …exd4 and …b5.
• Opening Repertoire Use: The line is favoured by combative players who like rich middlegame positions with chances on both flanks—think Garry Kasparov or Hikaru Nakamura as Black, and classical specialists like Svetozar Gligorić as White.

Strategic Themes

• Central Tension: The pawn chain d4–e4 vs. d6–e5 is the strategic backbone. White can close the center with d4-d5, or keep it fluid and aim for c4-c5 breaks.
• Kingside vs. Queenside Play: • Black usually attacks on the kingside: …f5, …f4, …g5.
  • White often counters on the queenside: b2-b4, c4-c5, a2-a4.
• Piece Placement: The bishop on d3 eyes h7 and bolsters e4, but it can be a target for …exd4 followed by …Nxe4. Black’s dark- squared bishop on g7 is the long-term powerhouse of the position.

Historical Significance & Famous Games

During the 1950s–70s the line was a battleground for the Soviet grandmasters who refined the KID. A classic illustration is Gligorić vs. Tal, Candidates 1968, where White’s 5.Bd3 set up a crushing central break.

• Kasparov vs. Karpov, World Championship 1985 (Game 18): Karpov chose 5…Nbd7; Kasparov’s queenside expansion with b2-b4 became a model plan.
• Nakamura vs. Anand, Zurich Blitz 2017: Anand used 5…exd4 and …Nc6, neutralising White’s bishop and winning in the ending.

Theory & Typical Continuation

Modern top-level theory usually categorises the position after 5.Bd3 as follows:

1. 5…exd4 6.Nb5! – The sharp “Glek Gambit” idea, threatening 7.Nxd4.
2. 5…O-O 6.d5 – Leads to Mar del Plata-style races.
3. 5…Nbd7 6.Nge2 c6 – A flexible setup delaying kingside castling.

Illustrative Mini-Game

The next 12 moves encapsulate many core ideas:

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

• Anand’s Surprise Prep: At Wijk aan Zee 2011 Vishy Anand revived 5.Bd3 after years of neglect, prompting a spike in master-level games the following season.
• Double-Edged Reputation: Some engines initially show a small plus for White but, with perfect play, evaluations swing wildly— testament to the line’s richness.
• “Poisoned Bishop” Motif: After …exd4 …Nxe4, grabbing the Bd3 can be fatal for Black because of Qxg4+ tactics on h7.

Summary

The move-order 4.e4 d6 5.Bd3 e5 keeps all the classical King’s Indian tension while granting White a direct line of sight toward Black’s king. Both sides must juggle central pawn breaks, wing attacks, and dynamic piece play—one reason the variation has stayed relevant from Bronstein to the modern engine era.