King's Indian: Four Pawns Attack
King’s Indian Defence
Definition
The King’s Indian Defence (KID) is a hyper-modern opening that begins 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 (or 3…d6). Black allows White to occupy the centre with pawns, intending to undermine it later with moves such as …e5 or …c5. It is one of the most deeply analysed and double-edged replies to 1.d4.
Typical Usage in Play
- Favoured by dynamic players who seek unbalanced middlegames.
- Black aims for kingside attacks with …f7-f5, …g6-g5 and piece sacrifice motifs, while White often pushes space advantages on the queenside.
- Leading champions: Garry Kasparov, Bobby Fischer, Teimour Radjabov.
Strategic & Historical Significance
The KID became fashionable in the 1940s, popularised by players such as Bronstein and Boleslavsky. Its theoretical evolution mirrors modern chess history—from classical centre-occupation ideals to hyper-modern counter-attacks.
Illustrative Mini-PGN
Interesting Fact
Kasparov played the KID in his very first World-Championship game (1985) and again in his last match game (2000), book-ending his reign with the same combative defence.
Four Pawns Attack (King’s Indian)
Definition
The Four Pawns Attack arises after
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. e4 d6 4. f4.
White places four pawns on c4-d4-e4-f4, seizing maximum space and cramping Black’s position.
Usage & Key Ideas
- White strives for a quick e4-e5 break or piece activity behind the pawn phalanx.
- Black hits back with …c5 or …e5 to undermine the centre, sometimes sacrificing material for activity.
- Piece placement: White often chooses Nc3, Nf3, Be2/Bd3; Black keeps K-bishop on g7 and may delay …O-O.
Strategic Significance
Considered the most aggressive anti-KID weapon in the 1960s-70s. Although engines show Black holds equality with accurate play, practical chances remain enormous for both sides.
Famous Examples
- Tal – Fischer, Bled 1961: Tal’s pawns stormed forward, but Fischer’s defensive accuracy prevailed.
- Bologan – Short, Wijk aan Zee 2003: A modern theoretical duel ending in a spectacular perpetual.
Interesting Anecdote
Legend says grandmaster Heinz Lehmann once told his students: “If you want to feel the King’s Indian, push four pawns and see if you’re still breathing after move 20.” The line became a rite of passage for attacking juniors in the former East Germany.
Variation 6.Nf3 c5 7.d5 b5 8.cxb5 a6 9.a4
Definition of the Sub-Variation
This concrete sequence enters a Benko-style gambit position inside the Four Pawns Attack:
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. e4 d6 4. f4 Bg7 5. Nc3 O-O 6. Nf3 c5 7. d5 b5 8. cxb5 a6 9. a4
What Each Move Tries to Achieve
- 6…c5: Black directly undermines White’s centre, typical of Benoni structures.
- 7.d5: White grabs space, closing the centre and fixing the pawn chain.
- 7…b5: A pseudo-Benko pawn sacrifice to open files on the queenside.
- 8.cxb5: Accepting the gambit; the a- and b-files will soon be half-open for Black’s rooks.
- 8…a6: Immediate recapture offer; if 9.bxa6 Bxa6 gives Black huge piece activity.
- 9.a4: The main “slow-decline” line. White declines another pawn, keeps the a-file closed, and aims to consolidate extra material.
Strategic Themes
- Material vs. Activity: White is a pawn up but under heavy pressure on the a- and b-files.
- Minor-piece Battle: Knights on c3 and f3 fight against Black’s bishops and rooks; tempi matter.
- King Safety: Both kings often remain flexible; Black sometimes castles queenside or keeps the king in the centre to speed up rook mobilisation.
Typical Continuations
a) 9…e6 10.dxe6 fxe6 11.Be2 Nc6 gives Black central play.
b) 9…Qa5 10.Bd2 Qb4 targets b2 and forces White to juggle defence and development.
Model Game
Giri – Vachier-Lagrave, Biel 2013 reached the exact diagram after 9.a4. Black sacrificed a second pawn with 9…e6 and generated strong play, yet Giri eventually consolidated and converted in the endgame. A fine demonstration of defensive tenacity.
Historical Notes
The 8…a6 pawn sacrifice with 9.a4 became popular after the 1988 USSR Championship where Igor Stohl and Alexander Vyzmanavin both scored upsets with the idea. Modern engines now show extremely fine-tuned move orders, but practical tests still reveal rich possibilities for both sides.
Interesting Facts
- The structure often transposes into Benko Gambit theory despite originating from a King’s Indian move order.
- In correspondence chess, the line scores better for White (≈57%) than for Black, yet over-the-board encounters are almost perfectly balanced (≈50%).
- Because of its sharp nature, many top GMs use this variation as a surprise weapon in rapid & blitz .