Reti: KIA and Reti-Smyslov Variation
Réti: King’s Indian Attack (KIA)
Definition
The Réti: King’s Indian Attack is a collection of move-orders that begin with 1. Nf3 and quickly reach the characteristic King’s Indian “barbed-arrow” formation for White: pawns on d3 & e4, knight on f3, bishop on g2, and the king safely castled on g1. ECO classifies the opening in codes A07–A08 (1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 …).
Typical move-order
- 1. Nf3 d5
- 2. g3 Nf6
- 3. Bg2 g6
- 4. O-O Bg7
- 5. d3 O-O
- 6. Nbd2 c5
- 7. e4 Nc6
The same set-up can also be reached by 1. e4, 1. g3, or 1. d3 with transpositions, making the KIA a favourite of “system” players.
Usage & strategic ideas
- Flexible pawn structure: White can choose between a quiet kingside squeeze with Re1, h3, Nf1–g3, or a direct assault with f2-f4 or g3-g4.
- Central break e4–e5: The thematic push often rips open the position when Black has castled short.
- Model piece placement: Knights head for g3 & f3, the dark-squared bishop eyes h1–a8, and the light-squared bishop frequently lands on g5 or f4.
- Transpositional weapon: Black is never sure whether White will remain in KIA territory, swing into a Catalan, or transpose to a reversed French or Sicilian.
Historical background
Although hyper-modern pioneer Richard Réti inspired the opening, the “King’s Indian Attack” nickname was coined in the 1950s when players realised White was essentially playing the King’s Indian Defence with an extra tempo. Bobby Fischer became its most famous practitioner; he scored +8 =3 -0 with it in the 1966–67 U.S. Championships cycle.
Model game
Fischer – Myagmarsuren, Sousse Interzonal 1967
A textbook demonstration of the e4–e5 break and kingside initiative.
Interesting facts
- Fischer once remarked that the KIA “avoids theory while keeping full fighting chances.”
- Computer engines evaluate the starting position near equality, yet human statistics show White scoring over 55 %.
- Because the KIA can be played against the French, Caro-Kann, Sicilian and Centre-Counter, some club players adopt it as a universal White repertoire.
Réti–Smyslov Variation
Definition
The Réti–Smyslov Variation arises from the Réti move-order
1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 c6 3. g3 Nf6 4. Bg2
when Black immediately grabs the c-pawn with 4…dxc4.
ECO code: A09 (sometimes listed as A07 when White plays 2. g3 first).
Why it is special
- Named after Vasily Smyslov, who adopted the line in the 1950s as a practical method of equalising in top-level play.
- Black accepts an isolated queen’s bishop pawn but eliminates White’s central pawn majority, steering the game into Slav-like structures that Smyslov excelled at.
Main line
- 1. Nf3 d5
- 2. c4 c6
- 3. g3 Nf6
- 4. Bg2 dxc4
- 5. O-O Nbd7
- 6. Na3 Nb6
- 7. Qc2 Qd5
White normally recovers the pawn with Nxc4 or Qxc4, gaining the bishop pair, while Black relies on the solid c6–d5 pawn chain.
Strategic themes
- Piece activity vs. pawn structure: White obtains open lines for the bishops; Black enjoys a rock-solid centre.
- Minority attack motifs: If the c-pawn is retained, Black can later play …b5–b4 to cramp the knight on a3.
- Endgame prospects: Smyslov’s endgame technique made the line fashionable; simplifying often favours Black.
Historical example
Smyslov – Botvinnik, World Championship 1954, game 11
Smyslov demonstrated that the early pawn grab held up, steering the
game into an equal but subtly unbalanced endgame.
Interesting facts & anecdotes
- The variation was a favourite of World Champions Botvinnik and Smyslov on opposite sides of the board, producing several high-level tests in their 1954 and 1957 matches.
- Modern engines still consider 4…dxc4 fully playable, making the Réti–Smyslov one of the few 1950s novelties that has not been refuted by computers.
- If White avoids 2. c4 and plays 2. g3 instead, Black can still transpose into the same structure with …c6 and …dxc4, underlining the flexibility of the system.