Kings Indian Defense Orthodox Donner Defense
King's Indian Defense
Definition
The King's Indian Defense (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, Black allows White to build a broad pawn center and then attacks it with timely pawn breaks such as …e5 or …c5. The opening is named after the fianchettoed king’s bishop, which plays a pivotal role in controlling the long diagonal and supporting kingside counterplay.
Typical Move Order
- 1. d4 Nf6
- 2. c4 g6
- 3. Nc3 Bg7
- 4. e4 d6 (the ‘tabiya’ position of the KID)
Strategic Themes
- Pawn Storms & Attacks: Black often castles short and then launches pawns on the kingside (…f5, …g5, …h5) to checkmate White’s king.
- Central Counterstrike: The breaks …e5 and …c5 undermine White’s big pawn center, aiming either to dissolve it or to create central tension that favors Black’s pieces.
- Space vs. Flexibility: White enjoys more space, especially on the queenside, while Black relies on piece activity and tactical resources.
Main Variations
- Classical or “Main Line”: 5. Nf3 0-0 6. Be2 e5 7. 0-0 Nc6.
- Sämisch: 5. f3, aiming to support e4–e5 and blunt the g7-bishop.
- Fianchetto: 5. g3, a solid line where White also fianchettos.
- Four Pawns Attack: 5. f4, a very aggressive setup that grabs space but can become overextended.
Historical Significance
The KID was popularized by Soviet grandmasters in the mid-20th century—especially David Bronstein, Efim Geller, and later Garry Kasparov. Bobby Fischer used it as one of his main weapons, most famously in his 1972 World Championship match versus Boris Spassky.
Illustrative Game
Garry Kasparov – Veselin Topalov, Wijk aan Zee 1999. Kasparov’s spectacular 24-move winning combination beginning with 24.d5 cemented this game as an all-time classic in the KID.
Interesting Facts
- Because of its double-edged nature, engines rate many KID lines as “objectively risky,” yet it remains a favorite in must-win situations.
- The setup with …g6 and …Bg7 was first tried by Louis Paulsen in the 19th century, decades before the opening received its present name.
- Players noted for the KID include Fischer, Kasparov, Hikaru Nakamura, and Teimour Radjabov.
Orthodox Defense (Queen's Gambit Declined)
Definition
The Orthodox Defense is the most traditional way to meet the Queen’s Gambit, arising after 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6. Black supports the d5-pawn with the e6-pawn, aiming for solid development, rapid castling, and eventual counterplay with …c5 or …e5.
Typical Move Order
- 1. d4 d5
- 2. c4 e6
- 3. Nc3 Nf6
- 4. Bg5 (or 4. Nf3) Be7
- 5. e3 O-O
This leads to the classical tabiya of the Orthodox Queen’s Gambit Declined (QGD).
Strategic Themes
- Solid Structure: Black’s “little center” (pawns on d5 & e6) is hard to break, providing a secure base for piece activity.
- Minor-Piece Battles: Deciding when to exchange the light-squared bishop with …Bf8–e7–d6 (or …Bb4-xc3) is a key decision.
- Timing the …c5 Break: Black often seeks …c5 in one go or prepares it with …Nbd7 and …b6.
- Carlsbad Plans: After cxd5 exd5, players get the famous Carlsbad structure with themes of minority attack (b4-b5) for White and kingside play for Black.
Historical Significance
Regarded as one of the oldest and most respected answers to 1. d4, the Orthodox QGD was played in the 1927 Capablanca–Alekhine World Championship match and remains a staple at every level.
Key Variations
- Capablanca Variation: 4. Nf3 Be7 5. Bg5.
- Lasker Defense: 5. …h6 6. Bh4 0-0 7. e3 Ne4, simplifying to relieve the bind.
- Tartakower (Makogonov-Bondarevsky) System: 5. …h6 6. Bh4 0-0 7. e3 b6.
- Cambridge Springs: 5. …Nbd7 6. Nf3 c6 7. Qc2 Qa5, adding tactical tension.
Illustrative Mini-Game
Capablanca – Lasker, St. Petersburg 1914. A textbook demonstration of Orthodox solidity navigating into a balanced endgame.
Interesting Facts
- For decades, beginning players were advised that knowing the Orthodox Defense was sufficient to survive any queen’s-pawn opening.
- Modern engines reveal many hidden tactical resources on both sides, refreshing an opening once deemed “dry.”
- The term “Orthodox” also shows up in other lines (e.g., the Orthodox Variation of the King’s Indian), underscoring how mainstream the word became in chess nomenclature.
Donner Defense (also “Donner Indian”)
Definition
The Donner Defense is an offbeat yet respectable reply to 1. d4, named after Dutch grandmaster and writer Jan Hein Donner. It generally arises after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Ba6. Black fianchettos the queen’s bishop to a6, targeting the c4-pawn and pressuring White’s queenside light squares.
Typical Move Order & Ideas
- 1. d4 Nf6
- 2. c4 e6
- 3. Nf3 b6
- 4. g3 Ba6
Key points:
- Early Ba6: Violates classical rules (moving the same piece twice early) but gains concrete counterplay by discouraging White’s e2-e4 expansion and challenging the c4-pawn.
- Nimzo–Queen's Indian Hybrid: After …Bb4+, Black can transpose into Queen’s Indian–type setups.
- Flexible Center: Black keeps the d-pawn in reserve (…d5 or …d6) and may strike with …c5.
Strategic Themes
- Piece Play over Pawns: Black aims for active piece coordination rather than a classical pawn center.
- Dark-Square Control: Once the Ba6 bishop is exchanged on c4 or d3, Black strives to dominate the dark squares with …d5 and …c5.
- Unbalancing the Game: Because it is unfamiliar to many opponents, the Donner Defense can push them out of booked-up comfort zones.
Historical & Modern Usage
Donner employed the line in the 1960s, scoring several notable upsets. In contemporary chess, grandmasters such as Baadur Jobava and Richard Rapport have experimented with it in rapid and blitz.
Sample Gamelet
White avoids the immediate exchange on a6, but Black obtains a comfortable Queen’s-Indian-style structure with harmonious development.
Interesting Facts
- Jan Hein Donner was as famous for his acerbic chess journalism as for his over-the-board results; he once wrote, “Chess is not just a game but a duel.” His opening reflects that fighting spirit.
- The line is engine-sound: modern analyses show approximate equality if both sides play precisely, making it a valid surprise weapon.
- Because “Donner” means “thunder” in German, some players jokingly call 4…Ba6 “the thunderbolt.”