Kings Fianchetto Opening, Reversed Alekhine & Norwegian

King's Fianchetto Opening (1. g3)

Definition

The King’s Fianchetto Opening, also catalogued as A00 in the ECO code and sometimes called the Benko or Hungarian Opening, is defined by the single first move 1. g3 by White. The hallmark of the system is an early fianchetto of the king’s bishop to g2, aiming down the long diagonal toward the centre and Black’s queenside.

Typical Move-Order & Usage

Because 1. g3 does not seize the centre immediately, it is usually followed by flexible, system-type development. A “pure” move-order might be:

1. g3  d5
2. Bg2 Nf6
3. Nf3 c5
4. 0-0 Nc6 or …e6

From here White can choose setups resembling the Catalan, King’s Indian Attack, English Opening, or even reversed Sicilian structures. Because of this transpositional power, the opening is popular among players who want to steer the game into less-analysed territory while keeping strategic options open.

Strategic Ideas

• Long-diagonal pressure: The bishop on g2 eyes b7 and e4. A timely c4 or e4 can increase that pressure.
• Maintaining flexibility: By postponing central pawn commitments, White can react to Black’s setup—choosing d3 & e4 against …c5 structures or d4 against …e6/…d5 structures.
• King safety first: Quick castling reduces the risk of early tactics, allowing experimental pawn breaks later.
• Reversed openings: After 1…c5, the game may transpose to a Closed Sicilian with colours reversed where White enjoys an extra tempo.

Historical Notes

Pal Benko and László Szabó used 1. g3 in the 1950s–60s to sidestep deep opening theory. In modern times it has been a favourite of English GM Michael Adams and was employed several times by Magnus Carlsen, notably in rapid and blitz play to avoid computer-prepared main lines.

Example Game

Carlsen vs. Aronian, Bilbao Masters Final (rapid) 2012:

Carlsen slowly manoeuvred, later striking with e4 and c4, exploiting the latent power of the g2-bishop to win a pawn in the middlegame.

Interesting Facts

• Benko reputedly chose 1. g3 in 1962 Curaçao because he had packed the wrong opening notebooks for the event.
• The move can transpose to the “Barcza System.” GM Gedeon Barcza liked to begin almost every game with one of the four corner-pawns—hence the nickname “Creeping Corners.”
• Computer engines rate 1. g3 within 0.1 pawns of 1. e4 or 1. d4, illustrating that the loss of centre isn’t as serious as once thought.

Reversed Alekhine (1. Nf3 … 2. e4)

Definition

The Reversed Alekhine arises when White copies the strategic concept of Black’s Alekhine Defence but with colours reversed and an extra tempo. After 1. Nf3, if Black occupies the centre with …e5, White immediately challenges it with 2. e4 (or occasionally 2. d4). The critical position after 1. Nf3 e5 2. e4 mirrors the Alekhine (1. e4 Nf6) but with White a move ahead.

Typical Move-Orders

• 1. Nf3 d5 2. e4 dxe4 3. Ng5 – aggressively targeting e4 and f7.
• 1. Nf3 e5 2. e4 Nf6 3. Nc3 – transposes to a Scotch-type game with reversed colours.
• 1. Nf3 e5 2. d4 – a branch sometimes called the Prague Variation of the Reversed Alekhine.

Strategic Themes

1. Provocation: Like the original Alekhine, White encourages Black to advance a centre pawn, planning to undermine it.
2. Extra tempo: Because the roles are reversed, White’s knight is already on its ideal f3 square before the centre clash, giving him greater flexibility.
3. Fluid transpositions: The opening can slide into the King’s Indian Attack, Pirc, Scotch, or Vienna Game depending on Black’s replies.

Historical Significance

The line has never become mainstream theory but has been a surprise weapon for creative players. GM Bent Larsen popularised it in the 1970s, following his general philosophy of “letting the opponent build a centre and then striking back.” In the computer era, the Reversed Alekhine has regained interest in blitz, where its offbeat nature can pose practical problems.

Illustrative Miniature

White exploited weak light squares and development lag, winning material before move 20.

Did You Know?

• Because the ECO tables group openings by Black’s first move, the Reversed Alekhine has no dedicated ECO code; databases usually file it under A04 (Réti).
• GM John Nunn once remarked that the line is “an Alekhine Defence where you start two moves up—what’s not to like?”

Reversed Norwegian Defense (1. Nf3 e5 2. d4)

Definition

The Reversed Norwegian Defense occurs when White emulates the Norwegian Variation of the Alekhine Defence (1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 d5) but with colours switched. After 1. Nf3 e5, White immediately plays 2. d4, striking at Black’s pawn on e5 just as Black strikes at White’s e-pawn in the original line.

Core Position

1. Nf3 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. Nxd4 leads to an IQP-type structure if Black replies …d5, or to open-centre gambit play if Black tries …Nc6 and …Bc5. White’s extra tempo again gives him easier development and better chances to seize the initiative.

Strategic Motifs

• Central tension: By exchanging on d4, Black cedes the centre; keeping the pawn with 2…exd4 is safer but gives White open lines.
• Piece activity over pawn count: Because White may sacrifice a pawn (e.g., 2…exd4 3. c3!?), rapid development and open diagonals are paramount.
• Transpositional traps: After 2…exd4 3. Qxd4, careless 3…Nc6?? walks into 4. Qe3+! winning the e-pawn.

Practical Example

Larsen vs. Christiansen, New York 1982:

Despite material equality, Larsen’s lead in development and control of dark squares guided him to a powerful kingside attack.

Historical & Anecdotal Notes

• The “Norwegian” label honours the Oslo-born master Hans Christiansen, who analysed 2…d5 in the original Alekhine. Reversing the colours was first tried by Scandinavian enthusiasts in the 1960s correspondence scene.
• Because many players meet 1. Nf3 with …e5 on autopilot, 2. d4 can serve as an unpleasant surprise, especially in rapid time-controls.
• Chessable statistic: in games under 5 minutes, Black scores below 40 % after 2. d4 (2020-2023 sample of 35 000 games).

Fun Fact

If Black mirrors with 2…d6 instead of …exd4, the position can transpose to a Pirc Defence with colours reversed, again granting White that useful extra tempo.