Kings Indian Attack, Double Fianchetto & Pachman System
King’s Indian Attack (KIA)
Definition
The King’s Indian Attack is not a single move-order but a flexible SYSTEM for White. Whether it begins with 1.Nf3, 1.e4, or even 1.g3, the pieces usually reach the same tabiya:
Typical position: Nf3, g3, Bg2, d3, O-O, Nbd2, Re1, e4, c3, h3 – a reversed mirror of the King’s Indian Defence.
How the System Is Used
- Against the French: 1.e4 e6 2.d3 d5 3.Nd2 Nf6 4.Ngf3 c5 5.g3 – the KIA sidesteps the main French theory.
- Against the Sicilian: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d3 followed by g3 and Bg2 keeps the structure intact.
- Via 1.Nf3: 1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 (or 2.d3) allows White to see Black’s set-up first.
Strategic Ideas
The KIA is about a slow build-up followed by an explosive kingside pawn storm. After f2-f4-f5, the pieces pour toward h7 (or h2) while the centre stays closed by pawns on e4-d3.
Historical & Theoretical Significance
- Bobby Fischer used the KIA as a theory-killer in the 1960s, scoring +8 =2 –0 against the French.
- Today the system is a favourite in rapid & blitz, prized for its transferability: the same plan works versus many defences.
Example Game
Fischer – Myagmarsuren, Sousse Interzonal 1967 (shortened): 1.e4 e6 2.d3 d5 3.Nd2 Nf6 4.Ngf3 c5 5.g3 Nc6 6.Bg2 Be7 7.O-O O-O 8.Re1 b5 9.e5 Nd7 10.Nf1 a5 11.h4! and the iconic kingside avalanche began.
.Interesting Facts
- Because the pawn structure is identical, many KIA manuals borrow chapters straight from books on the King’s Indian DEFENCE—just with colours reversed.
- Magnus Carlsen has revived the line in modern elite play, often via 1.Nf3 to sidestep early preparation.
Double Fianchetto
Definition
A Double Fianchetto describes any opening scheme—by either colour—in which BOTH bishops are developed to the long diagonals (b2-g7 and g2-b7 for White; b7-g2 and g7-b2 for Black). Common move-orders for White include 1.Nf3, 2.g3, 3.Bg2, 4.b3, 5.Bb2.
Practical Usage
- English Opening: 1.c4 Nf6 2.g3 g6 3.Bg2 Bg7 4.b3 O-O 5.Bb2 d6 – both sides may fianchetto twice, leading to hedgehog-type middlegames.
- Grünfeld Double Fianchetto (for Black): 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 O-O 6.Be2 b6 7.O-O Bb7.
Strategic Themes
- Long-range Control: The four diagonals a1-h8 & h1-a8 are dominated; central pawn breaks (…e5 / …c5 or e4 / c4) decide whether the bishops open up.
- Low theory, high understanding: Because few pieces develop to natural squares (Nc3/Nf3, …Nf6/…Nc6), much depends on players’ feel for weak squares and timing.
Historical Perspective
The plan was popularised in the 1970s by Petrosian and Korchnoi, who liked to “keep the board full” and manoeuvre for 60 moves. In the computer era, top grandmasters such as Aronian and Giri employ the double fianchetto as a surprise weapon because engines find it hard to create concrete forcing lines early.
Example Snapshot
After 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.g3 g6 3.Bg2 Bg7 4.b3 O-O 5.Bb2 d6 6.O-O e5 7.c4 Nc6 a typical middlegame shows both bishops eyeing central breaks. White’s pieces pivot around the dark-square pressure on d5; Black often counters with …d5 or …f5.
Interesting Nuggets
- In some Double Fianchetto lines every pawn remains on its original file for 15–20 moves—an opening lover’s dream for pure strategy.
- The set-up is a common choice among correspondence players, who can consult databases but still out-prepare opponents in fresh positions.
Pachman System
Definition
The Pachman System is an Orthodox Queen’s Gambit Declined set-up for Black, named after Czech GM Luděk Pachman. After the classical moves 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 Be7 5.e3 O-O 6.Nf3, Black plays the distinctive manoeuvre 6…b6 followed by …Bb7, …c5, and sometimes …Nbd7.
Why It’s Played
- Modernising the Orthodox: The traditional plan …Nbd7–…c5 can leave Black’s light-squared bishop passive. By fianchettoing it, Pachman aimed for active pressure on e4 and the diagonal a8–h1.
- Flexibility: Black keeps the option of …h6, …Nbd7, or even …c6 depending on White’s move order.
Strategic & Historical Significance
Pachman unveiled the idea in the 1950s, scoring several upsets against Soviet players. The system revitalised the solid Orthodox Defence by giving Black dynamic piece play without abandoning the sound pawn structure of the QGD.
Key Plans
- Minor-piece Pressure: …Bb7 x-rays the e4-square, supporting the freeing break …c5.
- Timely …dxc4: If White spends tempi on Bd3 and Qe2, Black can capture on c4, follow with …c5, and equalise the centre.
- King-side Safety: Because …b6 avoids early …h6, Black’s king rarely gets weakened by pawn moves around g7.
Illustrative Game
Pachman – Smyslov, Leipzig Olympiad 1960. Smyslov (Black) equalised comfortably and even pressed for a win with the new idea …b6. The encounter put the line on the theoretical map.
.Interesting Facts
- Luděk Pachman was not only a GM but also a noted political dissident and chess author; he once quipped that “my variation fights oppression on the board as I fight it in life.”
- The idea of fianchettoing the queen’s bishop in a QGD inspired later systems such as the Tartakower–Makogonov–Bondarevsky Variation (…b6 in the King’s Indian).
- The line is still recommended in many repertoire books as a low-maintenance answer to 4.Bg5, especially for club players who value structure over memorisation.