Kings Indian Defense Petrosian Variation Main Line
King's Indian Defense, Petrosian Variation (Main Line)
Definition & Move-order
The Petrosian Variation is a solid, space-gaining system for White in the King's Indian Defense, arising most often from the sequence:
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 e5 7. d5 (Petrosian Variation)
The Main Line continues 7…a5 (or 7…Na6) intending …Na6–c5 and discouraging White’s queenside expansion with b2-b4:
7…a5 8. Bg5 Na6 9. Nd2 Qe8 10. h4 etc.
Strategic Ideas
- White gains space in the center with the pawn wedge d4-d5, limiting Black’s typical …e5 break and clamping down on …f5.
- Black plays for counter-pressure on the dark squares (…Na6–c5, …Nh5–f4, …f7-f5) and looks to attack the kingside once pieces are maneuvered behind the pawn chain.
- Typical piece-placements include Bg5 (pinning the knight), Nd2-f1-g3 for White; …Na6-c5, …h7-h6, …f7-f5 for Black.
- The closed center offers both sides the chance for slow, maneuvering play followed by sharp pawn breaks (b2-b4 for White, …f7-f5 for Black).
Historical Background
Grandmaster and World Champion Tigran Petrosian popularized the line in the 1950s and 1960s, building it into a formidable weapon of prophylaxis and subtle maneuver. His famous victory against Miguel Najdorf in the Zürich Candidates 1953 tournament showcased the power of locking the center early and slowly suffocating Black’s counterplay.
The variation appealed to positional players who preferred to avoid the razor-sharp Mar del Plata lines (7.0-0) without conceding strategic tension. During the 1980s Garry Kasparov rehabilitated Black’s resources, introducing dynamic ideas with …Na6, …Qe8, and timely pawn storms, restoring the opening’s double-edged character.
Typical Plans
- For White
- b2-b4 and c4-c5 to seize the queenside space.
- Piece rerouting: Nd2–c4/e4 or Nf3–d2–f1–e3–c4.
- g2-g4 or h2-h4-h5 to blunt Black’s kingside advance.
- For Black
- …Na6–c5 hitting e4 and d3.
- …Nh5 followed by …f5, opening the f-file.
- Exchange of dark-squared bishops with …Bg4 or …Nh5–f4 to weaken White’s king.
Illustrative Mini-game
The following miniature shows typical motifs from both sides:
Famous Encounters
- Petrosian vs Najdorf, Zürich Candidates 1953 – The debut of the system; Petrosian’s quiet squeeze earned him a textbook endgame win.
- Kasparov vs Korchnoi, London 1983 – Kasparov shows Black’s dynamic resources with …Na6 and a timely …f5 break to create a winning kingside attack.
- Carlsen vs Nakamura, Tal Memorial 2013 – Modern illustration of slow queenside buildup; Carlsen’s 14. b4! secured space and a persistent edge.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- Petrosian allegedly prepared the line after noticing that many King’s Indian specialists felt uncomfortable without the thematic …e5–e4 pawn thrust.
- Bobby Fischer, a lifelong King’s Indian devotee, scored a modest 50 % against the Petrosian Variation—one of his worst personal records against any eighth-move system.
- Because the position stays closed for a long time, classical time-pressure blunders are common; players often reach move 30 with nearly the entire army still on the board.
Practical Tips
When learning the Petrosian Variation:
- Study pawn-break timings (b4, c5 for White; …f5, …c6 for Black).
- Memorize key maneuvering squares: Nf3–d2–f1–e3/g3 and …Na6–c5.
- Be patient; concrete tactics often appear only after 20 moves of subtle shuffling.