Kings Indian Defense: Semi-Classical Hollywood Variation
King's Indian Defense
Definition
The King’s Indian Defense (often abbreviated “KID”) is a hyper-modern opening that arises after the moves 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7. Instead of occupying the center with pawns immediately, Black allows White a broad pawn center and plans to undermine it later with well-timed pawn breaks (…e5 or …c5) and dynamic piece play.
Typical Move Order
A common starting sequence is:
- 1.d4 Nf6
- 2.c4 g6
- 3.Nc3 Bg7
- 4.e4 d6
- 5.Nf3 O-O
- 6.Be2 — reaching the Semi-Classical tabiya (see below)
Strategic Themes
- Control vs. Counter-punch. White grabs space in the center; Black aims to counterattack it.
- Pawn breaks. …e5 is the traditional thrust; …c5, …b5 and …f5 are also common.
- Piece activity. Knights often maneuver to d7–f6–h5 or c5; the dark-squared bishop on g7 eyes the long diagonal.
- Opposite-side attacks. In many lines both sides castle kingside yet launch pawn storms (e.g., f-pawn for Black, g/h-pawns for White).
Historical Significance
The KID became fashionable in the 1940s through the efforts of Soviet stars such as David Bronstein and Isaac Boleslavsky. It has since served as a mainstay in the repertoires of world champions including Bobby Fischer, Garry Kasparov, and Magnus Carlsen. Though periodically declared “risky,” it repeatedly returns to elite practice because of its fighting nature.
Illustrative Game
Kasparov vs. Kramnik, Dos Hermanas 1996 featured a bristling King’s Indian where Kasparov’s kingside pawn storm clashed with Kramnik’s queenside counterplay. The game is frequently used to teach the typical plans for both sides.
Interesting Fact
A database search of modern play shows that the KID scores better for Black in rapid and blitz than in classical time controls, reflecting its double-edged character.
Semi-Classical Variation (King's Indian)
Definition
The Semi-Classical Variation refers to the position reached after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 O-O 6.Be2. The term “Semi-Classical” is historical—early analysts viewed 6.Be2 as less ambitious than the “Classical” 6.Be2 lines preceded by h2-h3, yet more positionally grounded than the ultra-sharp 6.f3 (Saemisch) or 6.Bg5 (Averbakh) systems.
Typical Continuations
Black’s three most popular replies are:
- 6…e5 (Main Line) aiming for the central pawn break.
- 6…c5 leading to Benoni-style structures.
- 6…Nbd7 a flexible move preparing …e5 or …c5 while keeping piece tension.
Example main-line tabiya:
.Strategic Ideas for Each Side
- White maintains the pawn duo on e4-d5, prepares c4-c5 or b2-b4, and often maneuvers the knight Nf3–d2–c4/e4.
- Black strikes with …c6 or …f5, reroutes the g7-bishop via f8–g7–h6, or presses on the queenside with …a5 and …Na6–c5.
Historical & Practical Notes
Because the Semi-Classical keeps the position pliable, it is favored by players who enjoy both strategic maneuvering and dynamic tactics. Anatoly Karpov used it when he sought solid yet ambitious positions as Black, while contemporary grandmasters such as Teimour Radjabov and Ding Liren still deploy it at the highest level.
Hollywood Variation (Semi-Classical Sub-Line)
Definition
The Hollywood Variation is a sharp branch of the Semi-Classical in which Black plays an early …a6 and …c6, drawing White’s center forward and preparing a timely …b5 break. One move-order that showcases the idea is:
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 e5 7. d5 a6 (the Hollywood move) 8. O-O c6 9. a4 a5
The name “Hollywood” stems from a series of exhibition games played in Los Angeles (near Hollywood) during the 1950s where U.S. grandmaster Sammy Reshevsky helped popularize the setup.
Strategic Hallmarks
- Queenside space grab. Black uses …a6–…c6–…b5 to challenge White’s d5-pawn from the flank.
- Minor-piece dance. Knights reroute via c7–d7–c5 or e8–d6; the dark-squared bishop often develops to g7-f8-g7(!) or even h6 after …Nh5.
- Locked center = wing play. Because the e4-d5 pawn chain is fixed, both sides launch pawn storms on opposite wings—White on the kingside (f2-f3, g2-g4), Black on the queenside.
Typical Plan for White
White usually chooses between:
- f2-f3 Plan. Strengthen the e4 pawn, allow Be3, Qd2, and eventual g2-g4.
- a2-a4 Challenge. Immediately meeting …b5 with a4 to pry open lines.
Notable Games
- Reshevsky – Najdorf, Hollywood 1952 – The game that gave the variation its nickname; Reshevsky’s queenside blockade eventually turned into a kingside assault.
- Kasparov – Smirin, Novgorod 1997 – A model attacking win for White after Smirin’s premature …b5.
- Radjabov – Carlsen, Tal Memorial 2012 – Demonstrates modern treatment with computer-refined move orders.
Interesting Facts
- The …a6 idea echoes the Najdorf Sicilian, leading some analysts to call the Hollywood Variation “a Najdorf with colors reversed.”
- Because queenside play often dictates the course of the middlegame, elite players sometimes delay castling to keep the opponent guessing.
- A surprising statistic: engines give White only a tiny edge (≈ +0.10) from the main tabiya, attesting to the variation’s soundness despite its rarity.