King's Indian: Four Pawns Attack, 5...O-O

King's Indian Defense: Four Pawns Attack

Definition

The Four Pawns Attack is an ambitious line against the King’s Indian Defense in which White erects a massive pawn phalanx on d4–e4–f4–c4, aiming for a spatial stranglehold and a quick central pawn storm. The usual move-order is

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f4.

Typical Move-Order & Position

After 5.f4 the starting position of the Four Pawns Attack is reached. White’s pawns stand on c4, d4, e4, and f4, while Black’s fianchettoed bishop eyes the long diagonal. Black can reply in several ways, but the historic main line continues 5…O-O (see next section).

Strategic Themes

• Space vs. Counter-punching: White grabs space in the centre and kingside, hoping to crash through with e4–e5 and f4–f5. Black allows this in return for piece activity against the over-extended pawns.
• Pawn Breaks: Key breaks for White are e4–e5 and f4–f5; for Black …c7–c5 and …e7–e5 (sometimes …f7–f5) are critical.
• Piece Development: White often delays kingside castling to keep the rook on h1 ready for a direct attack, whereas Black aims to complete development quickly and strike at the centre.

Historical Significance

The line was popularised in the 1950s by Svetozar Gligorić, Vasily Smyslov, and later by Bobby Fischer as Black. Its double-edged nature made it a favourite battleground for testing new ideas in the King’s Indian.

Illustrative Game

Gligorić – Fischer, Bled 1961

Fischer demonstrated Black’s dynamic resources, sacrificing pawns for activity and eventually prevailing in a tactical melee.

Interesting Facts

• Despite the “four pawns” label, the line sometimes morphs into positions where White has sacrificed one of those pawns for initiative.
• Computer engines originally liked White’s space advantage, but modern neural-network engines often rate the positions as dynamically balanced.

5…O-O (Castling) in the Four Pawns Attack

Definition

The move 5…O-O is Black’s most classical reply to the Four Pawns Attack. By castling, Black removes the king from the centre, connects the rooks, and signals readiness to counterattack the white pawn wedge.

Why It Is Played

• King Safety: Black wants the king tucked away before opening the centre with …c5 or …e5.
• Flexibility: Immediate pawn breaks like 5…c5 or 5…e5 can be postponed; …O-O allows Black to judge which break is best after White’s next move.
• Piece Coordination: The rook on f8 will soon support …f7–f5 or pressure the f-file after …c5xd4 exchanges.

Typical Continuations

1. 6.Nf3 c5 7.d5 e6 8.Be2 exd5 9.cxd5 Re8 – Black undermines the centre from multiple angles.
2. 6.e5 Nfd7 7.Nf3 c5 8.d5 dxe5 – a sharp line where Black sacrifices a pawn to open lines.
3. 6.Be2 c5 7.d5 e6 – known as the Modern Main Line.

Strategic Considerations

Casting short commits Black to fighting on central and queenside squares rather than launching an immediate kingside pawn storm. The timing of …c5 is crucial; if Black breaks too late, White rolls forward with e5 and f5. If Black breaks too early, the position may open while Black’s pieces are still undeveloped.

Notable Games Featuring 5…O-O

• Smyslov – Gligorić, Zürich Candidates 1953: Gligorić’s energetic 5…O-O followed by …c5 showed that Black could seize the initiative despite White’s space.
• Kasparov – Kamsky, Linares 1993: Demonstrated modern refinement with timely …Re8 and …c6, equalising and later outplaying White.

Fun Anecdotes

When Bobby Fischer was asked why he preferred 5…O-O to immediate pawn breaks, he quipped, “First castle, then blast!”—a nod to classical principles even in razor-sharp openings.