King's Indian: Mar del Plata, Bayonet, 9...Nh5 line
King's Indian: Mar del Plata Variation
Definition
The Mar del Plata Variation is one of the sharpest branches of the King's Indian Defence (KID), arising after:
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 e5 7. O-O Nc6 8. d5 Ne7 9. Ne1 Nd7
Black prepares the thematic pawn-storm on the kingside (…f7-f5) while White expands on the queenside (b2-b4, c4-c5). The name comes from the 1953 tournament in Mar del Plata, Argentina, where the line gained popularity.
Strategic Themes
- Opposite-wing attacks: Black launches …f5, …g5, and …h5 toward White’s king; White responds with b4-b5, c5, and a2-a4 on the queenside.
- Piece Placement: The knight on e1 supports f3 and g2, freeing f- and g-pawns to reinforce the center or queenside.
- Timing: Both sides race to open lines first. Misplaced tempi often decide the game.
Typical Plans
- For White:
- b2-b4 and c4-c5 to seize space on the queenside.
- a2-a4 and Ra1-a3 to overprotect a3 and swing the rook across.
- f2-f3 to blunt Black’s dark-square bishop on g7.
- For Black:
- …f7-f5 followed by …f4 to lock the kingside and gain space.
- …g6-g5-g4 to pry open files toward h2.
- Minor-piece sacrifice on g3 or h3 is a recurring tactical motif.
Illustrative Game
Mikhail Tal – Boris Spassky, Soviet Championship 1955
The game showcased a brutal kingside assault by Spassky culminating in a piece sacrifice and mating net— a classic Mar del Plata theme.
Interesting Facts
- Garry Kasparov used the Mar del Plata extensively as Black in the 1980s, scoring critical wins against Karpov.
- The variation’s “romantic” reputation attracts attacking players, but modern engines find defensive resources for White, keeping the line double-edged.
King's Indian: Bayonet Attack
Definition
The Bayonet Attack is White’s aggressive answer to the KID Classical, beginning with the thrust 10. b4. A typical move order is:
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 e5 7. O-O Nc6 8. d5 Ne7 9. b4 a5 10. Ba3
White “bayonets” forward on the queenside, staking space and restricting Black’s pieces before the kingside storm begins.
Strategic Themes
- Space Grab: b4 fixes Black’s queenside majority, discouraging …c6.
- Minor-Piece Battles: The bishop on a3 eyes d6; Black counters with …Ne8, …f5, and reroutes pieces.
- Pawn Wedges: The pawn on b4 can advance to b5, forcing …c5 or …b6 and loosening Black’s structure.
Typical Plans
- White:
- b4-b5 to create an outpost on c6.
- c4-c5 combined with Nd2-c4-b6 pressure.
- Sometimes f2-f3 then g2-g4 for a hybrid flank attack.
- Black:
- …f7-f5, …Nf6 to g6, and …Kh8-Rg8 aligning on the g-file.
- …axb4 at the right moment, dissolving White’s queenside pawns.
- Tactical lever …c6 undermining d5.
Famous Encounter
Kasparov – Radjabov, Linares 2003: a theoretical duel where Radjabov unleashed a daring piece sacrifice to neutralize White’s queenside space, ultimately winning in spectacular style.
Interesting Facts
- The name “Bayonet” was coined in the early 1990s to reflect how 10. b4 “stabs” at Black’s queenside.
- Vladimir Kramnik popularized the line during his rise, using it both against Kasparov and in his 2000 World Championship preparation.
Line: 9…Nh5 10.Re1 Nf4 11.Bf1 a5 in the King's Indian
Definition & Move Order
This specific sequence occurs in the Classical KID after:
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 e5 7. O-O Nc6 8. d5 Ne7 9. Ne1
Black then plays the provocative 9…Nh5, beginning a knight dance: 10. Re1 Nf4 11. Bf1 a5. The idea is triple-purpose:
- Provoke weaknesses by aiming the knight at g2 and h3.
- Lure White’s pieces passively (Re1, Bf1), delaying queenside play.
- With 11…a5 Black fixes b4 and prepares …f5 under improved circumstances.
Strategic Significance
- Knight Maneuver: The f4-knight often reroutes to h5-g3 after …g5, cementing a dark-square grip.
- Rook Placement: By forcing Re1, Black hampers White’s traditional plan of f2-f3.
- Queenside Clamp: 11…a5 restricts b4. If White plays b2-b4 anyway, the a5-pawn becomes a lever for …axb4.
Model Continuation
Black sacrifices a piece for initiative. Although speculative, this line epitomizes the tactical richness of the KID.
Historical & Practical Notes
- The idea was investigated deeply in the late 1990s by Alexei Shirov and Étienne Bacrot, yielding several spectacular wins.
- Modern engines consider the line risky; precise defence gives White an edge, but over the board the complications are daunting.
- Some theoreticians call 9…Nh5 “the Windmill Knight” because it spins to f4-h5-g3-f5 in many variations.
Tips for Both Sides
For White: Don’t rush with b4; first neutralize the f4-knight (g2-g3) and be ready for f2-f3.
For Black: Time …f7-f5 only after …a5 when the queenside is under control, and calculate concrete tactics around Nf4-h3.