Kings Indian Defense: Double Fianchetto Attack
King’s Indian Defense (KID)
Definition
The King’s Indian Defense is a hyper-modern reply to 1.d4 in which Black allows White to occupy the centre with pawns, planning to undermine it later with pawn breaks and piece pressure. The tabiya (starting position of the opening) normally arises after the moves:
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 0-0.
How it Is Used
- Black delays occupying the centre with pawns, instead fianchettoing the king’s-bishop on g7 to put long-range pressure on e4 and d4.
- Standard counter-attacking pawn breaks are …e5 and …c5; occasionally …f5 in the Four Pawns Attack.
- White usually chooses between the Classical set-up (Be2 & 0-0), the Saemisch (f3), the Fianchetto (g3), and several rarer tries.
Strategic & Historical Significance
The KID epitomises hyper-modern strategy: control rather than immediate occupation of the centre. It became fashionable in the 1930s (Bronstein, Boleslavsky, Geller) and reached its peak popularity under Bobby Fischer (1960s–70s) and Garry Kasparov (1980s–90s). Its combative character still appeals to modern grandmasters such as Teimour Radjabov and Hikaru Nakamura.
Illustrative Example
Interesting Facts
- Kasparov scored +16 –0 =4 with the KID during his 1985–87 world-championship cycle.
- The opening’s reputation swings wildly: occasionally declared “refuted,” it promptly returns to top-level use when a creative player finds an improvement.
Fianchetto (the Fianchetto Bishop)
Definition
From the Italian fianco (“flank”), a fianchetto is the deployment of a bishop on the long diagonal behind an advanced flank pawn, e.g. g2 or b2 for White, g7 or b7 for Black. Typical move sequence: 1.g3 Bg2 or …g6 …Bg7.
Usage in Play
- Key component of hyper-modern openings such as the King’s Indian, Grünfeld, Catalan, and Modern Defense.
- Often combined with castling to the same side (short castling after g3 or …g6).
- The fianchettoed bishop exerts long-range control over central and opposite-wing squares, providing both defensive cover near its king and offensive opportunities along the diagonal.
Strategic Significance
The bishop’s scope usually increases as the centre opens. Players using a fianchetto often aim to keep the long diagonal clear by avoiding pawn moves that block their own piece.
Historical Note
Popularised by the hyper-modern school (Réti, Nimzowitsch, Tartakower) in the 1920s, the fianchetto is now a mainstream concept found in almost every grandmaster’s repertoire.
Example
Trivia
- Chess problems sometimes call a “fianchetto un-fianchetto” when the bishop later retreats to its original square after doing its job.
Debrecen Variation (King’s Indian Defense)
Definition
The Debrecen Variation is a solid branch of the King’s Indian Fianchetto in which Black adopts an early …c6 and …d5, aiming for a Slav-like pawn structure. One popular move-order is:
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nf3 Bg7 4.g3 0-0 5.Bg2 c6 6.0-0 d5 7.cxd5 cxd5.
How It Is Used
- Black surrenders some typical KID dynamism (…e5) in exchange for a rock-solid centre on d5.
- Plans include …Nc6, …Bg4, and queenside expansion with …a5/…b5.
- White often places a knight on e5, presses on the queenside with Qb3, or breaks with e4.
Strategic & Historical Background
Named after Debrecen, Hungary, where local masters analysed and employed the line in the mid-20th century. GM Lajos Portisch and later GM Zoltán Ribli helped refine it, providing a practical repertoire choice for players seeking KID flavour without the sharpest theoretical battles.
Model Game
Portisch – Korchnoi, Moscow 1965. White employed a timely e4 break. Black equalised but drifted in the ending.
Interesting Facts
- Although classified under King’s Indian (ECO E62), the resulting structures can transpose into Grünfeld or Slav endgames.
- The variation has occasionally been seen at top events, e.g. Carlsen–Aronian, Wijk aan Zee 2012 (drawn).
Classical Variation (King’s Indian Defense)
Definition
In the Classical Variation, White develops naturally with Nc3, Nf3, Be2, 0-0, and typically restrains the centre with 7.0-0 Nc6 8.d5. A canonical move sequence is:
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 0-0 6.Be2 e5 7.0-0 Nc6 8.d5 Ne7.
Usage & Typical Plans
- White gains space in the centre and queenside, preparing c5 and b4.
- Black counter-attacks on the kingside with …f5, piece sacrifices on g4/h3, or the thematic …c6 break.
- The resulting positions are among the sharpest in chess, demanding precise calculation from both sides.
Historical & Strategic Notes
This main battleground of the KID was shaped by epic clashes: Fischer–Najdorf 1962, Kasparov–Karpov 1985–87, and more recently Nakamura–Radjabov. Theoretical debate centres on whether Black’s kingside attack arrives before White’s queenside play breaks through.
Illustrative Fragment
Did You Know?
In game 16 of the 1985 World Championship, Kasparov’s exchange sacrifice …Rxf3!! became a modern classic and a poster-move for Black’s attacking potential in the Classical KID.
Main Line (General Opening Term)
Definition
The Main Line of an opening is the sequence of moves most commonly accepted as theoretically best for both sides at a given moment in chess theory. It usually forms the backbone of published analysis and professional preparation.
Practical Usage
- Annotators often write “In the main line after 9…e5 White plays 10.d5.”
- When a novelty is played, commentators ask: “Is this an improvement on the main line?”
- Choosing a sideline can be a practical weapon to avoid an opponent’s preparation in the main line.
Strategic Significance
Main lines tend to be critical, heavily analysed, and well-trodden. Memorisation alone is not enough; understanding the typical plans and structures is vital because even a single deviation can lead to novel positions.
Example
In the Ruy Lopez, the main line Chigorin Defence arises after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 d6.
Anecdote
During the 2014 Candidates, Viswanathan Anand revived the “old” main line of the Grünfeld with 7.Bc4, surprising several opponents who had only prepared against fashionable sidelines.
Double Fianchetto Attack
Definition
The Double Fianchetto Attack is a strategic system (rather than a concrete move order) in which the same player fianchettoes both bishops, usually on b2 and g2 (or b7 and g7 for Black), creating a long-diagonal crossfire. In the King’s Indian context it often begins:
1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.g3 Bg7 4.Bg2 0-0 5.c4 d6 6.b3.
How It Is Used
- White aims for a flexible, positional struggle, avoiding early central commitments.
- The bishops control both long diagonals, making pawn breaks like e4, d4-d5, or b4 logical follow-ups.
- Black must decide whether to strike in the centre immediately (…e5, …c5) or adopt a slower …c6/…d5 Debrecen-style set-up.
Strategic Significance
A double fianchetto reaches far into the middlegame: both bishops remain relevant as files and diagonals open. Because kings often castle short in symmetrical fashions, latent pressure on the c6-h1 or c3-h8 diagonals can erupt unexpectedly.
Historical Usage
Once considered a “quiet” English Opening line, the idea was revitalised by top players such as Vladimir Kramnik (2012) and Fabiano Caruana (2018), who used it to sidestep reams of theory while keeping winning chances.
Model Game
Caruana – Carlsen, Isle of Man 2019. White employed the Double Fianchetto against Carlsen’s Grünfeld set-up and won a long endgame.
Fun Fact
In problem composition, a “double fianchetto battery” refers to lining up queen & bishop on one long diagonal and rook & bishop on the other, creating tactical motifs involving discovered attacks in two directions.