King's Indian: Gligoric-Taimanov, Main Line
King's Indian: Gligoric-Taimanov, Main Line
Definition
The Gligoric-Taimanov system is a respected branch of the King’s Indian Defence in which White meets Black’s classical set-up with 7. Be3—the Gligoric Variation—and, after the characteristic thrust 8. d5, follows up with 9. Nd2—the Taimanov Variation. It is catalogued in ECO codes E92–E93 and produces richly strategic middlegames featuring maneuvering on locked pawn chains rather than the razor-sharp attacks typical of other King’s Indian lines.
Typical Move Order
A classical, illustrative sequence runs:
- 1. d4 Nf6
- 2. c4 g6
- 3. Nc3 Bg7
- 4. e4 d6
- 5. Nf3 O-O
- 6. Be2 e5
- 7. Be3 Nc6 (Gligoric)
- 8. d5 Ne7
- 9. Nd2 c6 (Taimanov main tabiya)
Strategic Themes
- Central Lock: With 8. d5 White fixes the pawn structure. The e4-d5 chain cramps Black but leaves e4 an enduring target.
- Piece Maneuvering: Knights often reroute: Nf3–d2–c4/f1, while Black’s typical maneuver …Nf6–e8–c7 prepares …f5.
- Minor-Piece Battles: White’s Be3 challenges Black’s dark-squared bishop early, seeking exchanges that reduce Black’s attacking potential.
- Queenside vs. Kingside Plans: White may aim for b4–c5 breaks or minority advances on the queenside; Black strives for the classic …f5–f4 thrust backed by rook lifts and a possible kingside pawn storm.
Historical Background
• Svetozar Gligorić (Yugoslavia) unveiled 7. Be3 in
elite play during the 1950s, searching for a sound, positionally-oriented
answer to the KID that avoided the heavily analysed Mar del Plata
battles.
• Mark Taimanov (USSR) refined the set-up with the
knight retreat 9. Nd2, adding flexibility and resilience against
Black’s counterplay. Their names became linked in databases once the two
ideas fused into one mainstream branch.
• The variation gained prominence after Gligorić’s victories over
top Soviet grandmasters, and it has been a staple choice for players who
respect Black’s attacking chances yet desire a more strategic contest.
Illustrative Examples
-
Gligorić vs. Fischer, Belgrade (URS Team) 1961 —
Fischer attempted the dynamic …f5 break, but Gligorić’s precise piece
placement stifled the attack and converted an endgame advantage.
- Kramnik vs. Kasparov, Linares 1994 — A modern heavyweight duel that demonstrated cutting-edge manoeuvring; Kramnik’s queenside expansion with b4–c5 outpaced Kasparov’s kingside ambitions.
Practical Usage Tips
- Be ready to meet …Ng4 ideas (hitting Be3) with either Bxg4, Nf1, or even 9. Bg5 in some sidelines.
- After 9. Nd2, keep an eye on the c4 square—if Black exchanges on c4, White recaptures with a knight and obtains an outpost.
- For Black players, the timely break …c6–cxd5 can liberate the position if White is slow on the queenside.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- Gligorić was so synonymous with 7. Be3 that in some mid-20th-century tournament bulletins the move was simply dubbed “the Yugoslav development.”
- Mark Taimanov, famous for his musical career as well as chess, once remarked that the 9. Nd2 idea was “a quiet piano recital” compared with the “rock concert” of the Mar del Plata.
- The line appealed to future World Champion Vladimir Kramnik early in his career; his 70 % score with it as White in the 1990s helped cement his reputation as a deep strategist.