Kings Indian Attack French Variation
King’s Indian Attack — French Variation
Definition
The King’s Indian Attack (KIA) – French Variation is a system White adopts against the French Defence that blends the flexible King’s Indian Attack move-order with the initial moves of the French. The baseline position typically arises after:
1. e4 e6 2. d3
Instead of entering the densely analysed French main lines with 2. d4, White plays 2. d3, aiming for a KIA structure: Nf3, g3, Bg2, 0-0, Re1 and Nbd2, followed by e4-e5 or an f-pawn thrust.
Typical Move-Order
A common sequence (there are many permutations) is:
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
How the System Is Used
- Strategic Idea: White avoids early pawn tension in the centre, fianchettoes the king’s bishop, castles quickly and prepares either the thematic break e4-e5 or a later f2-f4-f5 kingside pawn storm.
- Flexibility: Because Black hasn’t committed to ...d5–d4, White can steer the game into KIA, Pirc or even certain Sicilian-type positions.
- Psychological Weapon: By sidestepping mainstream French theory, White shifts the struggle into a strategic realm where general understanding outweighs memorised lines – a favourite approach of players such as Bobby Fischer and Magnus Carlsen.
Strategic Themes
- Breaking with e5. After Re1, Nbd2 and sometimes Qe2, White pushes e4-e5 to seize space, dislodge the f6-knight and open dark-square attacking lanes.
- f-Pawn Storm. If Black blocks the centre with ...d4 and ...e5, White may shift to f2-f4, using the g1-h2 knight and queen to support an assault on g7 and h7.
- Queenside Counterplay for Black. Black often answers with ...c5, ...b5 and ...a5-a4, trying to open lines against White’s queenside before the kingside fire starts.
- Piece Manoeuvres. A typical KIA rerouting is Ng1-h3-f4 or Nf3-h4-f5, eyeing the d6 and g7 squares.
Historical Significance
The French-variation flavour of the KIA gained traction in the 1950s and 60s, championed by Bobby Fischer, who enjoyed its attacking potential without theoretical overload. His famous remark, “The King’s Indian Attack is an opening I can play without much analysis,” referred to precisely this system.
Notable Games
-
Fischer vs Benko, U.S. Championship 1963/64.
Fischer uncorked the classic KIA plan with e5 and a swift kingside attack, culminating in a
sacrifice on h7.
- Carlsen vs Nakamura, London Chess Classic Rapid 2017. Modern proof that the set-up remains venomous: Carlsen used the flexible 2. d3 move-order to outmanoeuvre Nakamura and crashed through with f4-f5.
- Morozevich vs Ivanchuk, Biel 2000. A textbook illustration of Black’s queenside push ...b5-b4 being met by White’s central break e5 at the perfect moment.
Example Position to Visualise
After 8...b5 above, a typical middlegame diagram would show:
White: Kg1, Qd1, Ra1 Rf1, Nf3 Nd2, Bc1 Bg2, pawns a2 b2 c2 d3 e4 f2 g3 h2 Black: Kg8, Qd8, Ra8 Rf8, Nf6 Nc6, Bb7 Be7, pawns a7 b5 c5 d5 e6 f7 g7 h7
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- Because it begins with 1. e4, many databases still label the opening C00 (French Defence: King’s Indian Attack) despite the fact that the resulting structure more closely resembles a reversed King’s Indian Defence.
- Fischer scored a phenomenal 82% with the KIA across his career. Half of those games started with the French move-order 1. e4 e6 2. d3.
- Computer engines originally dismissed the system as “harmless”; with modern depth, they now rate many KIA French lines close to equality but admit plenty of dynamic chances for both sides.
- Because the centre often closes, endgames can arise where the normally “bad” French light-squared bishop (c8) turns into a monster on the long diagonal if Black achieves ...c4 and ...b4, a nuance every KIA-French practitioner must remember.
Practical Tips
- If you play White, memorise plans rather than moves: castle early, locate your knights on f3/e5/f4 squares, and time e5 or f4 according to Black’s pawn chain.
- If you’re Black, decide early whether to strike with ...c4 or keep tension with ...dxe4; allowing White both e5 and f4 is usually fatal.