Kings Indian Attack
King's Indian Attack (KIA)
Definition
The King's Indian Attack is a flexible, system-based opening for White characterized by a set-up rather than a fixed move order. Typical hallmark moves include 1. Nf3, 2. g3, 3. Bg2, 4. 0-0, 5. d3, 6. e4, mirroring the structure Black adopts in the King's Indian Defense. Because it can be reached against a variety of Black replies (the French, Sicilian, Caro-Kann, …), it is often described as a “portable repertoire” weapon.
Typical Move Orders
Two of the most common routes are:
-
Via 1. e4
1. e4 e6 2. d3 d5 3. Nd2 Nf6 4. Ngf3 c5 5. g3 Nc6 6. Bg2 Be7 7. 0-0 — a King's Indian Attack against the French Defence. -
Via 1. Nf3
1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 e6 4. 0-0 Be7 5. d3 0-0 6. Nbd2 c5 7. e4 — a “pure” KIA setup reached through a Réti/English move order.
Strategic & Positional Themes
- King-side Pawn Storm: After the preparatory moves, White often expands with h2–h4–h5 (sometimes g3–g4) to pry open lines toward Black’s king.
- Central Break …e4–e5: The thrust e4–e5 can cramp Black and clear paths for the dark-squared bishop on g2.
- Minor-piece Manoeuvres: Knights typically reroute to h4, f1, h2, or g4 aiming at f6/e5. Bishops eye the h1–a8 and b1–h7 diagonals.
- Flexibility: Because White delays early central commitments, plans can be adapted depending on Black’s set-up (…c5 lines, …e5 lines, …g6 lines, etc.).
Practical Usage
The KIA is popular with club players who want a “one-size-fits-all” system requiring less theoretical maintenance than 2. d4 or mainline 1. e4 openings. At master level it is an occasional surprise weapon ideal for sidestepping heavy computer preparation.
Historical Notes
• The structure entered mainstream consciousness during the 1950s and
1960s through the games of David Bronstein and especially
Bobby Fischer, who scored a phenomenal 80 % + with it.
• Fischer famously annotated, “…the Black player is basically
defending the King’s Indian Defense a move down — a difficult task!”
Illustrative Game
Bobby Fischer – Vlastimil Hort, Palma de Mallorca 1970
The game shows classic KIA themes: restrained development, timely central break e4–e5/ exd5, and an eventual queen-side pawn roller capping off Fischer’s win.
Other Famous Encounters
- Fischer vs Myagmarsuren, Sousse Interzonal 1967 – sparkling king-side attack ending with a rook sacrifice on h7.
- Kasparov vs Karpov, Linares 1993 – Kasparov uses a KIA structure to grind down his long-time rival in an endgame.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- Bronstein’s Joke: When asked why he played the KIA, Bronstein quipped, “Because I’m lazy; I let my opponent choose the opening for me!”
- Engine Verdicts Swing: Early engines underrated the KIA (-0.2 or so), but modern neural-network evaluators often claim 0.00 equality, reflecting White’s enduring strategic pull.
- Speed-Chess Favorite: In bullet and blitz, grandmasters like Hikaru Nakamura use the KIA to produce quick king-side attacks with minimal clock consumption.
Why Add It to Your Repertoire?
• It avoids towering theory while still offering rich middlegame play.
• Plans are conceptual rather than memorization-heavy, letting you
concentrate on strategy and tactics.
• The pawn structure teaches valuable themes applicable in the
King’s Indian Defense, Pirc, and even certain English lines, improving
your overall chess understanding.