King's Indian: 7.O-O Nbd7
King's Indian: 7.O-O Nbd7
Definition
The phrase “King’s Indian: 7.O-O Nbd7” identifies a specific branch of the King’s Indian Defence Main Line. After the classical starting moves 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg6 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 e5, the position reaches one of the most important crossroads. White plays 7.O-O, the standard “Classical” set-up, and Black replies with 7…Nbd7.
The move 7…Nbd7 is called the “Old Main Line” knight development. It differs from the more fashionable 7…Nc6 or 7…Na6 by keeping the c6-square free for a possible pawn advance …c6 or a queen retreat to c7, and by preparing …exd4 followed by …Re8 and …c6 in some variations. It has been championed by such luminaries as David Bronstein, Garry Kasparov, and Vishy Anand at various moments in their careers.
Typical Move Order
Full main-line sequence:
- 1. d4 Nf6
- 2. c4 g6
- 3. Nc3 Bg7
- 4. e4 d6
- 5. Nf3 O-O
- 6. Be2 e5
- 7. O-O Nbd7
Strategic Ideas
- Flexibility for the c-pawn. The knight on d7 allows …c6 later, bolstering the d5 square or preparing …d5 breaks.
- Typical King’s-side attack. Black can still aim for …f5, …Nf6, …Qe8-h5, and …Ng4 ideas; the knight may reroute via f8.
- Central tension. Black often delays …exd4 until the optimal moment, arguing that after cxd4 exd4 the knight on d7 can hop to c5 or e5.
- Piece coordination. The queen can swing to e7, c7, or b6 without being blocked by a knight on c6.
- White’s choices. White typically answers with 8.Be3, 8.Re1, 8.Qc2, or the sharp 8.d5. Each yields distinct pawn structures and plans.
Historical Significance
Before the 1970s, 7…Nbd7 was the main tabiya of the King’s Indian. Bronstein used it to great effect at the 1951 World Championship match against Botvinnik, and later Kasparov revived it in the late 1980s with dynamic novelties like …a5-a4 in conjunction with …Nc5.
Its popularity declined when computers and top players showed concrete ways for White to seize space with 8.Re1 Re8 9.Bf1 exd4 10.Nxd4 Nc5 11.f3!, but it remains fully respectable and is frequently employed as a surprise weapon.
Illustrative Game
Kasparov’s model win demonstrates Black’s typical attacking ideas:
(Kasparov – Hjartarson, Istanbul Olympiad 1992). Notice how the knight from d7 rerouted to c5 and e4, supporting a classic King’s-side break with …f5 and a later pawn storm.
Modern Evaluation
Engines rate the position after 8.Re1 or 8.Be3 as roughly equal (“≈”), but practical chances abound. Black’s game is easier to play for those who relish dynamic imbalances, while White enjoys a long-term space advantage.
Interesting Facts
- When Kasparov coached the Azerbaijani team for the 2016 Olympiad, he suggested reviving 7…Nbd7 as an “anti-computer” line because it leads to less forcing variations than 7…Nc6.
- The first known appearance of 7…Nbd7 was Nimzowitsch – Capablanca, New York 1927 (a casual game), predating the “King’s Indian boom” by two decades.
- In correspondence chess, grandmasters sometimes transpose to the Grünfeld by playing …exd4, …c5, and …Nc6, showing the line’s flexibility.
Practical Tips
- For Black: Learn the typical knight manoeuvre Nf6–h5–f4 and be alert to the freeing break …d5 if White over-expands with d5 himself.
- For White: Consider the prophylactic 8.Re1 and 9.Bf1 to reinforce the e4 pawn and retain the option of h3 and c5.
- Both sides should watch the critical squares e4, d4, and f4—control of these often decides the middlegame.