Neo-King's Indian: London System
Neo-King's Indian: London System
Definition
The Neo-King's Indian: London System is a hybrid opening that arises after the moves 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. Bf4. Black is heading for a classical King’s Indian Defence set-up (…g6, …Bg7, …d6, …0-0) while White deploys the bishop to f4 and follows typical London System development with e3, c3 (or c4), h3, and Nbd2. The position is catalogued in ECO codes A48–A49 and is sometimes written simply as Neo-King’s Indian, London Variation.
Typical Move Order
A common tabiya is reached after:
- 1. d4 Nf6
- 2. Nf3 g6
- 3. Bf4 Bg7
- 4. e3 O-O
- 5. h3 d6
- 6. Be2 Nbd7
- 7. O-O b6 (or …c5)
Transpositions are frequent: if White plays 3. g3 instead of 3. Bf4 the game enters a Fianchetto King’s Indian, while an early c4 can transpose to standard Queen’s Pawn openings.
Strategic Themes
- White’s Perspective
- Early development of the queen’s bishop to f4 puts pressure on the c7–e5 diagonal and can discourage Black from playing an immediate …e5.
- By delaying c4, White keeps the structure flexible: c3 supports a later e4 pawn break, whereas c4 can seize queenside space.
- The typical London “triangle” (pawns on d4-e3-c3 or c4) gives White a solid centre that is hard for Black to undermine with …c5 or …e5.
- Black’s Perspective
- Black obtains the familiar King’s Indian fianchetto and can choose between a restrained set-up (…d6 …Nbd7 …e5) or immediate queenside counterplay with …c5.
- An early …Nh5 challenges the Bf4 bishop. If White allows the trade, Black solves his dark-square problems at once.
- Because White’s bishop is on f4 instead of g2, Black often strives for …c5 and …Qb6 targeting the b2 pawn.
Plans and Typical Middlegame Ideas
- White breaks: e3-e4 (central expansion), c3-c4 (space on the queenside), or sometimes h3-g4 followed by Ne5 for kingside pressure.
- Black breaks: …c5 (Queenside), …e5 (Classical King’s Indian), or the thematic pawn storm …f5 when conditions permit.
- Piece Manoeuvres:
- White knight manoeuvre Nf3–d2–f3 supports e4 and recaptures on e4.
- Black knight route Nf6–h5 (harassing the bishop) is nearly automatic if White omits h3.
- Both sides may reroute rooks: Re8 and Rb8 for Black, Rac1 or Rfd1 for White, depending on pawn structure.
Historical & Modern Significance
The system gained popularity in the late 20th century as players sought low-maintenance anti-King’s Indian lines. Vladimir Kramnik and Boris Gelfand employed it reliably in elite tournaments to avoid the sharp theoretical battles of mainline KID. In the 2010s Magnus Carlsen revived it, often transposing from 1. Nf3 move orders, using its “poison-less but pressing” nature to out-play opponents in long manoeuvring games.
Illustrative Game
Kramnik – Topalov, Linares 2004. Kramnik used the Neo-KID London to steer the game into a positional squeeze and eventually won a rook ending. The opening moves went:
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- The line was once nicknamed the “Ghetto London” by some club players, implying that it is a compact, resource-efficient version of the standard London System.
- Because White has not committed the c-pawn, engines often evaluate the position as equal, yet practical results in master play favour White by a small margin—an example of the London’s reputation for being “better than it looks.”
- In blitz and rapid chess the Neo-King’s Indian is popular because White can rattle off the first ten moves almost by memory while Black decides how to harmonise KID plans with the extra tempo conceded to the London bishop.
Practical Tips
- If you play White:
- Be ready to meet …Nh5 by dropping the bishop to h2; exchanging on g3 usually favours Black.
- When Black plays …c5 early you can choose solid 6. c3 or the sharper 6. dxc5 followed by c3 and b4.
- Do not rush e4; prepare it with Nd2, Re1, and sometimes Qc2.
- If you play Black:
- Strike with …e5 before White castles long or sets up c3–Nbd2–e4.
- Consider the dynamic pawn sacrifice …c5 dxc5 Qa5+ to seize the initiative.
- Remember that trading dark-squared bishops eases your space restrictions; look for …Nh5 or …e5–e4 tactics.