Kings Fianchetto Opening: Reversed Alekhine
King’s Fianchetto Opening (1.g3)
Definition
The King’s Fianchetto Opening is the family of positions that arise after White’s very first move 1.g3. By advancing the g-pawn two squares, White prepares to fianchetto the king’s bishop on g2, striking at the centre from a distance along the long a8–h1 diagonal. In ECO it usually appears under codes A00–A05, depending on how play continues (Reti, King’s Fianchetto, Reti/English hybrids, etc.).
How it is Used in Chess
- Flexibility: 1.g3 does not commit the central pawns and can transpose into a wide variety of systems (Catalan-type structures, King’s Indian Attack, English Opening, Reti, even some Sicilian-, French- or Pirc-style set-ups).
- Hyper-modern Strategy: White invites Black to occupy the centre with pawns and intends to undermine it later with piece pressure and pawn breaks such as c2-c4, d2-d4, or e2-e4.
- King Safety: The move virtually guarantees a quick kingside castling plan (Bg2, Nf3, O-O), making it popular in rapid and blitz when time is short.
Strategic & Historical Significance
The opening embodies hyper-modern principles championed by players like Richard Réti and Savielly Tartakower in the 1920s. In modern practice it is a favourite surprise weapon for elite grandmasters such as Vladimir Kramnik, Magnus Carlsen and Anish Giri, who use it to avoid deep theoretical duels.
Example Miniature
Even in this short illustration, White’s fianchettoed bishop and rapid pressure on the c- and d-files cause Black real coordination problems.
Interesting Facts
- Kramnik used 1.g3 against Garry Kasparov in the rapid playoff of their 2000 Classical World Championship match, steering clear of Kasparov’s deep home preparation.
- Because it can transpose almost anywhere, databases list more than 35 distinct ECO sub-codes beginning with the single pawn move 1.g3.
Reversed Alekhine (“Alekhine’s Defence Reversed”)
Definition
“Reversed Alekhine” is an umbrella term for any opening system where White adopts the typical piece-placement of the Alekhine’s Defence but with an extra tempo. In a classical Alekhine, Black provokes the e-pawn advance with 1.e4 Nf6; when colours are reversed, it is usually White’s knight that tempts ...e5 or ...d5 from Black, often starting from a Reti/King’s Fianchetto move order.
Typical Move-Orders
- 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.g3 d5 3.Bg2 c5 4.O-O Nc6 5.d4 – White challenges the centre just as Black does in a normal Alekhine.
- 1.g3 Nf6 2.Bg2 e5 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.d3 d5 5.O-O – the line most commonly called the “Reversed Alekhine Variation” of the King’s Fianchetto.
Strategic Themes
- Over-Extended Centre: White encourages Black to advance central pawns to e5 and d5, aiming later to undermine them with c2-c4, e2-e4 or d2-d4 (exactly mirroring Black’s strategy in the true Alekhine).
- Extra Tempo: Because the colours are reversed, White enjoys an extra move, allowing for smoother development and reducing the inherent risk normally carried by the Alekhine player.
Historical Notes
The term began appearing in English-language literature in the 1970s, popularised by English grandmasters such as Tony Miles and Michael Basman, who enjoyed offbeat, hyper-modern solutions to mainstream theory.
Illustrative Fragment
Notice how the white knight on d4 and bishop on g2 immediately question Black’s central pawns—precisely the Alekhine motif, but with colours changed.
King’s Fianchetto Opening, Reversed Alekhine Variation
Definition
This is the specific branch of the King’s Fianchetto characterised by the moves 1.g3 Nf6 2.Bg2 e5 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.d3 d5. It appears in ECO under code A04/05 and is the most theoretically recognised “Reversed Alekhine” line.
Main Line Move-Order
After 8.Qa4, White pressures both c6 and c4, showing how the extra tempo makes Black’s centre slightly loose.
Typical Plans
- For White
- Target the pawn on e5 with Re1, Nbd2, and c2-c4.
- Break with e2-e4 at the right moment to liquidate Black’s centre and open the long diagonal for Bg2.
- Use queenside space (c4, b4) to pry open files if Black castles kingside early.
- For Black
- Maintain the e5/d5 pawn duo, perhaps reinforcing with ...Be7, ...O-O, ...Re8.
- React actively with ...e4 or ...d4 if White delays central breaks.
- Avoid premature exchanges that would leave the c- or e-file open to White’s rooks and bishop.
Strategic & Practical Notes
Because the pawn structure is symmetrical to a classical Alekhine but shifted one tempo forward, theory considers the line perfectly sound for Black, yet very playable for White players who relish middlegame manoeuvring rather than heavy memorisation.
Notable Games
- Grischuk – Mamedyarov, Moscow Blitz 2019: 1.g3 Nf6 2.Bg2 e5 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.d3 d5 5.O-O Be7 6.c4 d4 7.e3 – Grischuk unclamped the centre with e3-e4 and eventually converted the bishop pair.
- Kramnik – Giri, Wijk aan Zee 2010: A rapid draw, yet illustrative: Giri equalised comfortably by timely ...Bb4-a5, proving that Black can gain queenside counterplay.
Fun Tidbits
- Because 1.g3 is almost never met with ...Nf6 and ...e5 at club level, the entire Reversed Alekhine setup is a powerful surprise weapon—even experienced opponents may have no reference games to guide them.
- The variation has been dubbed “the gentleman’s Alekhine” in chess forums, implying you gain the pleasures of Alekhine-style play without the risk of immediate refutation!