Kings Indian Defense: Petrosian Variation
King's Indian Defense — Petrosian Variation
Definition
The Petrosian Variation is a branch of the King’s Indian Defense characterized by the sequence 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg6 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 O-O 6.Be2 e5 7.d5. Named after the 9th World Champion Tigran V. Petrosian, the line features White advancing the d-pawn to d5 on move seven, locking the center and preventing Black’s thematic break ...f7-f5 for the moment. It is one of the most solid yet strategically rich systems in the closed King’s Indian.
Typical Move Order
The baseline position arises after:
- 1. d4 Nf6
- 2. c4 g6
- 3. Nc3 Bg7
- 4. e4 d6
- 5. Nf3 O-O
- 6. Be2 e5
- 7. d5 (Petrosian Variation)
Strategic Themes
- Space and Restraint – By closing the center with 7.d5, White gains more space on the queenside and restrains Black’s immediate pawn breaks …f5 and …c5.
- Slow Maneuvering – Both sides must reposition pieces behind the pawn chains. Knights often head to d2/b3/e1 for White and to a6/c5 or d7 for Black.
- Queenside vs. Kingside – White usually expands with b4, c5, and occasionally a4-a5, while Black prepares the classic KID pawn storm with …f5, …g5, and …g4 aimed at the white king.
- Minor-Piece Battles – The dark-squared bishops are key pieces. White may play Bg5 & Bh4 to provoke …h6 and create hooks; Black often reroutes the king’s knight via d7-f6-g4.
- Pawn Breaks – Critical moments revolve around when Black plays …c6 or …f5 and whether White replies with exf5, dxc6, or maintains the tension.
Historical Significance
Before Petrosian popularized it in the 1950s and 60s, 7.d5 was considered too passive. Petrosian demonstrated that the line contains enormous strategic depth and can suffocate Black’s counterplay. His adoption of the system in World Championship matches against Boris Spassky (1966 & 1969) led to a surge in its popularity. Later, players such as Garry Kasparov, Vishy Anand, and Ding Liren have employed it at the highest level.
Canonical Example
Game 10, World Championship 1966
Tigran Petrosian – Boris Spassky
Petrosian’s deep prophylactic style is on full display: he patiently repositioned his forces, neutralized Black’s queenside play, then exploited weaknesses created by …g5 and …f5 to seize the initiative.
Modern Illustrative Line
[[Pgn| d4|Nf6|c4|g6|Nc3|Bg7|e4|d6|Nf3|O-O|Be2|e5|d5|a5|Bg5|h6|Bh4| g5|Bg3|Na6|Nd2|Nc5|h4|g4|h5|| ]]This “Kramnik setup” with h4-h5 shows a very contemporary approach: White meets …g5 with a quick pawn sacrifice to rip open the h-file before Black can complete kingside expansion.
Plans for Both Sides
- White
- Queenside expansion: b4-b5, c5, a4-a5.
- Piece rerouting: Nd2, b3, Ba3, or Be3–f2–g3 vs. the black king.
- Prophylaxis: Watch for …f5; sometimes prepare exf5 or Nd2-c4 to pressure e5.
- Black
- Breaks: …c6 to undermine d5 or …f5 to open the f-file.
- Kingside pawn storm: …g5–g4, sometimes even …h5 to dislodge White’s knight.
- Central counterplay: …Nbd7–c5 or …Na6–c5 target d3 & b3 squares.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- Petrosian reputedly introduced 7.d5 by accident in a 1953 training game when he misheard the tournament director’s announcement — the line soon became a trademark weapon.
- Garry Kasparov first used the Petrosian Variation at age 15, scoring a spectacular win against GM Gufeld (USSR Ch. Qualifiers, 1978).
- The system often transposes into the Bayonet Attack (9.b4) if White later pushes b4 without Bg5.
- Engine analysis shows the position after 7.d5 is one of the few closed center structures where AlphaZero preferred long maneuvers over immediate pawn breaks in its self-play games.
Why Choose the Petrosian Variation?
Players who enjoy strategic maneuvering, prophylactic play, and delayed confrontation often gravitate to this line. It avoids the razor-sharp theoretical battles of the Classical Main Line (7...Nc6 8.d5 Ne7) while still offering winning chances for both sides.