Kings Indian Defense: Alekhine Anti-Grünfeld Variation
King’s Indian Defense
Definition
The King’s Indian Defense (KID) is a hyper-modern opening for Black that arises most often after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6. Black allows White to occupy the centre with pawns, planning to undermine that centre later with pawn breaks such as …e5 or …c5 and to generate a kingside attack.
Typical Move-Order
The KID can be reached through many transpositions, for example:
1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. c4 Bg7 4. Nc3 d6 5. e4 O-O.
Major branches include the Classical (7…Na6 or 7…Nc6), Fianchetto, Saemisch (5.f3), Four-Pawns (5.f4) and the Averbakh (5.Be2 O-O 6.Bg5) systems.
How It Is Used in Chess
- Chosen by players who relish dynamic, double-edged positions and are comfortable playing with less space.
- A frequent weapon in must-win situations because of its attacking potential against the white king.
- Allows Black to fight for the initiative from an early stage rather than striving only for equality.
Strategic & Historical Significance
The opening was popularised after World War II by Soviet theoreticians Isaac Boleslavsky and David Bronstein, and later became a mainstay for Bobby Fischer and Garry Kasparov. While once regarded as “unsound” because of Black’s cramped position, modern engines confirm its strategic soundness when handled accurately.
Illustrative Game
Fischer – Gligorić, Candidates Tournament, Zagreb 1959.
Black’s thematic pawn storm with …f5 and …g5 eventually overwhelmed the white king.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- Kasparov scored over 70 % with the KID as Black in top-level events between 1982-2005 [[Chart|Rating|Classical|1982-2005]].
- The formation often leads to mirror-image races: Black attacks on the kingside while White counters on the queenside. Spectators love the resulting drama.
- In the famous game “Kasparov – Karpov, Linares 1993,” Kasparov deliberately allowed Karpov his beloved positional plus, only to unleash a classic KID exchange sacrifice …Rxf3 that decided the game.
Alekhine Anti-Grünfeld Variation (within the King’s Indian set-up)
Definition
The Alekhine Anti-Grünfeld is a sideline for White designed to avoid the main lines of the Grünfeld Defense while still confronting the King’s Indian set-up. The most common move-order is: 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. Bg5. Named after the fourth World Champion Alexander Alekhine, the early 4.Bg5 pin discourages …d5, steering the game away from pure Grünfeld positions and toward structures more familiar to King’s Indian or Torre-like players.
Typical Move-Orders & Key Ideas
- Main Line 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nf3 Bg7 4.Bg5 Ne4 5.Bh4 c5 6.Nc3 Nxc3 7.bxc3 d6.
- Quiet Line 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.Bg5 Bg7 4.Nbd2 d6 5.e4 O-O 6.c3.
White’s aims:
- Prevent or delay the thematic …d5 break associated with the Grünfeld.
- Maintain central tension and possibly castle queenside for a pawn-storm on the kingside.
- Exploit the pin on the f6-knight to make the e4-e5 advance more potent.
Usage in Practice
- Favoured as a surprise weapon: theory is light compared to mainstream KID or Grünfeld lines, making it attractive in rapid and blitz.
- Appeals to positional players who enjoy long-term pressure rather than immediate tactical melees.
- Often transposes into Torre Attack, Catalan, or Symmetrical English structures, giving White a wide strategic palette.
Strategic Themes
Because Black’s …d5 break is delayed, the struggle centres on who will determine the pawn structure. If Black plays …h6 and …g5 to chase the bishop, concessions around the dark squares (f6, h6, f5) appear. Conversely, an early …c5 challenges White’s centre but leaves Black with an IQP after dxc5 Qxd1+.
Historical Background
Alexander Alekhine introduced the line against Ernst Grünfeld in Vienna 1922 and scored a quick win, hence the name “Anti-Grünfeld.” The idea lay dormant for decades until players like Ulf Andersson and later Michael Adams rehabilitated it in the 1990s. In modern times it has been tried sporadically by elite grandmasters such as Magnus Carlsen (vs. Anand, Tal Memorial 2013 rapid) to sidestep the champion’s extensive Grünfeld preparation.
Model Game
Carlsen – Anand, Tal Memorial Rapid 2013.
White kept the tension, later seized the centre with e4-e5, and converted a minor-piece endgame.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- Because it can be reached via 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.Bg5, ECO classifies it under A46, not under the Grünfeld E-codes—an amusing cataloguing quirk.
- Alexander Alekhine reportedly prepared the line the night before facing Grünfeld himself, trusting more in surprise than in deep analysis.
- Modern engines give the position after 4.Bg5 a small (≈+0.25) pull for White, confirming its objective soundness despite its relative obscurity.