King's Indian: Four Pawns Attack, 6.Nf3 c5
King’s Indian: Four Pawns Attack
Definition
The Four Pawns Attack is an ambitious and highly aggressive line for White in the King’s Indian Defence. It arises after the moves:
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f4
By advancing the c-, d-, e- and f- pawns, White aims to seize an overwhelming share of central space and set the stage for a direct kingside attack.
How It Is Used in Chess
- Central Space Grab: The four pawns claim every central square (c4–f4), restricting Black’s piece play.
- Attacking Platform: White hopes to follow up with e4-e5, f4-f5, or even g2-g4 to open lines against Black’s king.
- Dynamic Counterplay for Black: In compensation for lack of space, Black relies on undermining pawn breaks such as …c7-c5, …e7-e5 or …f7-f5, rapid piece activity, and attacks on the d4 or e4 pawns.
- Typical Piece Development: White often develops the king’s knight via Nf3 (or sometimes Nge2), the dark-squared bishop to e2 or d3, and the queen to c2 or e2, while castling kingside. Black positions the knight on f6 (sometimes d7), the light-squared bishop on g7, and frequently places rooks on e8 and c8 to support breaks.
Strategic & Historical Significance
The line epitomizes the eternal struggle between space and structure versus mobility and flexibility. It experienced a surge of popularity in the 1950s–1970s when players such as Bobby Fischer, Efim Geller, and Bent Larsen explored its attacking potential. Modern engines still give it respect, yet its razor-sharp nature means one inaccuracy can tilt the evaluation dramatically.
Illustrative Example
One celebrated encounter is:
[[Pgn| d4|Nf6|c4|g6|Nc3|Bg7|e4|d6|f4|O-O|Nf3|c5|d5|e6|Bd3|exd5|cxd5|Bg4|O-O|Re8|h3| Bxf3|Qxf3|Na6|e5|dxe5|Bb5|e4|Qg3|Nc7|f5|Nxb5|fxg6|hxg6|Nxb5|Qxd5|Nc7 ]](Gligorić – Fischer, Bled 1961) where both sides launched pawn storms, illustrating the double-edged nature of the opening.
Interesting Facts
- The first recorded use of the Four Pawns Attack dates back to the London 1851 tournament, making it older than the term “King’s Indian Defence” itself.
- Grandmaster Larry Christiansen humorously calls it “the Four Bombs Attack” because if even one pawn detonates in the center, Black’s position can explode.
- AlphaZero’s self-play games featured the setup repeatedly, scoring well with both colors—evidence of its rich, unbalanced possibilities.
6.Nf3 c5 in the Four Pawns Attack
Definition
After the standard moves of the Four Pawns Attack (1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f4 O-O 6. Nf3), the counter-thrust 6…c5 is Black’s most popular and theoretically critical reply. It strikes at White’s d4-pawn and tries to dismantle the massive pawn center before it can roll forward.
Usage and Typical Plans
- Immediate Pressure: The move attacks d4 and indirectly e4, forcing White to decide whether to protect with 7.d5, 7.Be2, or 7.dxc5.
- Benoni-Style Transpositions: After 7.d5, the structure often resembles a Modern Benoni with colors reversed, where Black seeks counterplay on the queenside and through the e-file.
- Piece Activation: Black’s knight can hop to g4 or e8, rooks to e8 and b8, and the queen often lands on e7 or a5 to pressure the center.
- White’s Options: White may sharpen the game with 7.d5, maintain tension with 7.Be2, or simplify by exchanging on c5. Each path leads to distinct middlegame themes.
Strategic Significance
The move …c5 challenges the central e4-d4 pawn duo at its base. If Black can induce d4-d5, the resulting locked center grants him targets on the dark squares (especially e4). Conversely, if the center opens prematurely, White’s greater space can give him a dangerous initiative.
Model Game
One modern illustration is:
[[Pgn| d4|Nf6|c4|g6|Nc3|Bg7|e4|d6|f4|O-O|Nf3|c5|d5|e6|Be2|exd5|cxd5|Re8|e5|dxe5|fxe5| Ng4|O-O|Nxe5|h3|Nxf3+|Bxf3|Bxe5|Bh6|Qh4|Qd2 ]](Grischuk – Vachier-Lagrave, Tal Memorial Blitz 2016). White pushes on the kingside, while Black’s pieces swarm around the central pawns—a textbook duel of ideas stemming from 6…c5.
Interesting Tidbits
- In the database of correspondence chess (ICCF), 6…c5 scores better for Black than the older 6…Na6, highlighting its theoretical resilience.
- Garry Kasparov adopted 6…c5 in training games vs. Deep Blue (1997) to test the computer’s handling of closed centers, though it never appeared in the publicly-played match.
- Some theoreticians refer to 6…c5 as the “Speelman–Yusupov System,” a nod to the two grandmasters who refined its move orders in the 1980s.
Common Tactical Motifs to Remember
- …Nxe4! Tactics on e4 often appear once the d-pawn is deflected or pinned.
- Exchange Sacrifice on c3: …Rxc3 followed by …Bxc3 can rip open White’s king if the knight lands on g4.
- f-file Counterplay: After …f7-f5 breaks, Black may sacrifice a pawn to open the f-file against White’s king.