Kings Indian Alekhine Anti-Grunfeld Neo-Grunfeld Goglidze
King’s Indian Defense
Definition
The King’s Indian Defense (ECO codes E60–E99) is a hyper-modern opening in which Black allows White to build a broad pawn center and later strikes at it. It arises after the moves 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6. Black fianchettoes the king’s bishop, delays …e5 or …c5 until the right moment, and plans active piece play rather than immediate central occupation.
Main Line & Typical Position
After 5.Nf3 0-0 6.Be2 e5 7.0-0 Nc6 8.d5 Ne7 a characteristic closed center appears:
- Pawns: White has pawns on d5&e4; Black on d6&e5.
- White space advantage; Black seeks counterplay on the kingside (…f5) or queenside breaks with …c6, …b5.
Strategic Ideas
- King-side attack. Black often pushes …f5, …g5, …f4, sacrificing material for mating chances—made famous by Fischer and Kasparov.
- Counterplay vs. center. The move …c6 undermines d5; if White captures, Black’s dark-squared bishop and pieces become strong.
- Plan flexibility. White chooses among the Classical (7.0-0), Sämisch (5.f3), Fianchetto (g3), Four Pawns Attack (f4), Averbakh (Be2/Bg5), etc.
Historical Context
Although games with …g6 were known in the 19th century, it was David Bronstein and Isaac Boleslavsky who, in the 1940s, developed modern King’s Indian theory. Bobby Fischer weaponized it in the 1960s, and Garry Kasparov used it throughout the 1980s, revitalizing interest with spectacular victories.
Example Game
Kasparov–Karpov, World Championship (Game 16), Moscow 1985:
The sacrificial storm culminating in 46…Rxe1# is considered a King’s Indian classic.
Interesting Facts
- Modern engines show the King’s Indian to be objectively risky for Black, yet it remains a favorite in must-win situations.
- Deep Blue avoided the King’s Indian when playing Black against Kasparov—its programmers feared the sharp pawn storms!
Alekhine’s Defense
Definition
Alekhine’s Defense (ECO B02–B05) is the counter-attacking opening beginning 1.e4 Nf6, named after the fourth World Champion, Alexander Alekhine. Black immediately attacks White’s e-pawn, tempting it to advance so that Black can undermine and target an over-extended center.
Typical Sequences
Main line: 1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.c4 Nb6 5.exd6 cxd6. Black’s knight has wandered, but Black argues that White’s center can later be attacked with …g6, …Bg7, …Nc6, and …Bg4.
Strategic Themes
- Provocation. Black entices the pawns to e5-d4-c4, then chips away with piece pressure.
- Piece activity vs. structure. Black’s pieces aim for dynamic squares (…Bg7, …Qc7, …Nc6), often at the cost of space.
- Transpositions. The Four Pawns Attack (3.c4) can transpose into Modern Defense setups; Exchanges can reach isolated-pawn positions reminiscent of the Caro-Kann.
Historical Significance
Alekhine used the defense himself in the 1920s (notably vs. Endre Steiner, Budapest 1921). Though eclipsed in elite play during the 1970s–90s, it enjoyed a renaissance with practitioners like Vassily Ivanchuk, Michael Adams, and Hikaru Nakamura, who appreciate its surprise value.
Example Miniature
Spielmann–Alekhine, Bad Pistyan 1922:
Alekhine’s nimble knight and queen maneuvering show the opening’s tactical richness.
Trivia
- The line 2.Nc3 transposes into the Vienna, illustrating Alekhine’s Defense’s flexibility.
- Engine evaluations fluctuate wildly—proof that concrete calculation often overrides static judgment in this opening.
Anti-Grünfeld System
Definition
“Anti-Grünfeld” is an umbrella term for White setups designed to sidestep main-line Grünfeld Defense theory after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5. The most direct Anti-Grünfeld is 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4, but the name is often extended to variations with 3.f3, 3.g3, or early Bf4 that avoid the critical Exchange Variation.
Why Use It?
- Theoretical avoidance. Grünfeld main lines are heavily analyzed; Anti-Grünfelds lead to less explored territory.
- Different pawn structures. Instead of allowing the typical d4-c4 vs. d5 pawns, White may build a broad pawn center with f2–f3 and e2–e4 (Saemisch-like).
- Psychology. Grünfeld specialists—e.g., Peter Svidler—may feel less comfortable outside their pet lines.
Representative Lines
- 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 (Classical Anti-Grünfeld). Black chooses between 5…Nxc3 6.bxc3 or 5…Nb6 6.Nf3 Bg7.
- 3.f3 — the “Fianchetto Saemisch”: 3…d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4, transposing to Benoni-type centers.
- 3.g3 d5 4.Bg2 (Fianchetto Anti-Grünfeld). White combines the long diagonal pressure with a later e2–e4.
Practical Example
Carlsen–Karjakin, Shamkir 2014 (Classical Anti-Grünfeld):
The line produced an imbalanced middlegame without allowing Karjakin his usual Grünfeld counterplay.
Noteworthy Facts
- The Anti-Grünfeld sneaks up in World Championship matches; Kramnik used it versus Anand (Bonn 2008) to avoid prepared novelties.
- Engines initially give White a small plus, but precise play generally equalizes for Black—hence its reputation as a practical weapon more than a refutation.
Neo-Grünfeld Defense
Definition
The Neo-Grünfeld (ECO D70–D79) blends ideas of the Grünfeld Defense and King’s Indian. It begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.g3 d5, delaying Nc3 so that White fianchettoes first. Black strikes in the center with …d5, aiming for Grünfeld-style pressure on d4 while retaining King’s Indian flexibility.
Key Continuations
- 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.Bg2 Bg7 6.e4 Nb6 — Main line, where Black targets d4; White enjoys space.
- 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Bg2 dxc4 6.Qa4+ leading to rich tactical play.
- 4.Nc3?! can transpose back to orthodox Grünfeld lines.
Strategic & Positional Features
- Fianchetto battle. Both sides’ bishops eye central squares; control of the long diagonals decides many games.
- Flexible pawn breaks. Black can choose …c5 or …e5, while White may push e4-e5 or d4-d5.
- Endgame prospects. The isolated d-pawn that sometimes results resembles Queen’s Gambit structures but with active bishops.
Historic & Modern Usage
The opening gained prominence in the 1920s through Richard Reti and Akhil M. Steiner. In modern times, Levon Aronian and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave employ it as a surprise weapon against Catalan lovers.
Illustrative Game
Kramnik–Topalov, Linares 1998:
The curved maneuvering of both queens’ bishops underscores Neo-Grünfeld dynamism.
Anecdote
When Bent Larsen faced Bobby Fischer (Sousse 1967), he unveiled the Neo-Grünfeld to “avoid the hurricane” of Fischer’s preparation—earning a fighting draw and a compliment from Fischer on the opening’s soundness.
Goglidze Attack
Definition
The Goglidze Attack (also called the Georgian Attack) is an off-beat system against King’s Indian or Grünfeld setups: 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.Bg5. Named after Georgian Grandmaster Viacheslav Goglidze, White pins the knight immediately, aiming to hinder …d5 or …d6 and to retain flexibility with c2–c4 or e2–e3 later.
Typical Plans
- Pressure on the knight. The pin discourages Black from the standard …Bg7–…d6–…e5 sequence.
- Rapid development. White may follow with e3, Be2, h3, 0-0, reaching Torre-like structures but with the king’s knight already on f3.
- Central break c4. If Black commits to …d5, White often strikes with c4 creating isolated or hanging pawn positions.
Representative Line vs. King’s Indian
1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.Bg5 Bg7 4.Nbd2 h6 5.Bh4 d6 6.e4 0-0 7.c3 — White maintains the pin (Bf6 is always in the air) and prepares Qc2, 0-0, and potentially e4-e5.
Strategic Nuances
- Black can break the pin with …h6 and …g5 or the immediate 3…Ne4. Both concede time or slight weaknesses; White counts on exploiting them.
- The bishop may retreat to h4, f4, or even d2 depending on Black’s response, showcasing its flexibility.
Historical Note
Though seldom seen at top level, the Goglidze Attack scored notable wins for Bukhuti Gurgenidze in Soviet championships of the 1950s. Its surprise value remains; even Magnus Carlsen tried it in online blitz in 2020.
Example Snapshot
The tortured knight dance demonstrates the unorthodoxy that often follows a Goglidze opening.
Trivia
- The attack can transpose into Torre or London systems; however, the early Bg5 distinguishes it strategically from the London’s quieter Bf4.
- Because engines now suggest immediate equality for Black, human players often meet it inaccurately, granting practical chances—perfect for rapid or blitz.