Neo-King's Indian: Torre Attack
Neo-King's Indian: Torre Attack
Definition
The Neo-King’s Indian: Torre Attack is an opening system that arises after the moves 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. Bg5. White combines the flexible “Torre Attack” development (Bg5 without an early c4) with Black’s King’s-Indian-style fianchetto (…g6, …Bg7). ECO codes A48–A49 cover this hybrid line.
Typical Move-Order
- 1. d4 Nf6
- 2. Nf3 g6 – Black signals a King’s Indian or Grünfeld set-up.
- 3. Bg5 – the Torre bishop pins the f6-knight, steering play away from mainstream King’s-Indian theory.
From here the game may continue:
- 3…Bg7 4.Nbd2 d5 5.e3 O-O 6.Bd3, or
- 3…Ne4 4.Bf4 d5 5.e3 Bg7 6.Nbd2, or
- 3…c5 4.dxc5 Na6 5.e3 Nxc5 6.c4.
Strategic Themes
The opening blends ideas from both parent systems:
- Pressure on the f6-knight. By pinning or exchanging on f6, White slows down …e5/…d5 breaks and can inflict structural damage (doubled g-pawns) if Black recaptures with g-pawns.
- Solid central formation. Because White has not played c4, the d4-pawn is securely supported, giving White a “London-style” safety net without surrendering the option of e2-e4 later.
- Flexible pawn breaks. White may choose c2-c4, e2-e4, or even h2-h4-h5 to harass the fianchetto bishop. Black typically seeks …d6 & …e5 or …d5 & …c5, mirroring standard King’s Indian plans.
- Piece play over theory. Because concrete tactical theory is lighter than in the main King’s Indian lines, players rely more on understanding than memorisation.
Plans for White
- Maintain the pin or exchange on f6, then aim for e2-e4 to seize central space.
- Develop harmoniously: Nbd2, Bd3, c3, Qe2, castles short. Afterward push e4 or c4 depending on Black’s setup.
- If Black delays …h6, consider 4.Qd2 followed by Bh6, trading off the powerful g7-bishop.
- On kingside, ideas include h4-h5 or a rook lift Rh1-h4-g4 to increase pressure.
Plans for Black
- Break the pin early with …h6 and …g5 or with …Ne4, forcing the bishop to decide.
- Strike the centre by …d6 & …e5 (classical KID) or …d5 & …c5 (Grünfeld-like) depending on White’s setup.
- Exploit the uncommitted c-pawn: if White plays c2-c3, occupy c4 or c5 squares with pieces or pawns.
- After Bxf6 exf6, leverage the semi-open e-file and bishop pair in dynamic play.
Historical & Practical Significance
• Carlos Torre (Mexico, 1904-1978) popularised the early Bg5 against …Nf6 structures, giving the system his name. • The prefix “Neo-King’s Indian” appeared in 1960s opening manuals to distinguish 1…g6 systems that reach King’s-Indian structures without the immediate …d6. • Modern grandmasters such as Vladimir Kramnik, Pavel Eljanov and Alireza Firouzja have used the line as a practical weapon to avoid heavy King’s-Indian theory while still fighting for an opening edge.
Model Game
A clean illustration of White’s ideas is the game Karpov – Milos, Linares 1993:
Karpov maintained the pin, castle long, and launched a kingside pawn storm, eventually converting his space and structural advantage.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- When Garry Kasparov wanted to sidestep deep King’s-Indian preparation from computers in the late 1990s, he briefly experimented with the Torre bishop on g5—proof that even world champions appreciate its practical value.
- Because the bishop often retreats to h4 and g3, club players jokingly call it the “boomerang bishop”: it keeps coming back to the kingside after pinning on f6.
- Some databases list the line under three different names—“Torre Attack,” “Neo-King’s Indian,” and “East Indian Defence”—reflecting its hybrid nature and confusing many beginning students who think they are three separate systems.
Sample Position to Visualise
After 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.Bg5 Bg7 4.Nbd2 d5 5.e3 O-O 6.Bd3 c5 7.c3, the board features:
- White pawns: d4, e3, c3, g2, h2, a2, b2, f2
- Black pawns: d5, c5, g6, g7, h7, a7, b7, e7, f7
- The Bg5 vs. Nf6 tension defines the middlegame narrative.