Dear Billyidle,

Thanks for the comment. Geller was a pioneer of the King’s Indian.He knew how to play it with both White and Black. Karpov’s results with the King’s Indian against Kasparov were poor.

Now Four Pawns’ Attack is a variation suitable for players with aggressive style who would like to deny counter play to Black. In the form revised by Semkov it is extremely dangerous to Black.

But if one wants to play in quiet, sedate style,the Exchange Variation is very good.But there one should be ready to play the endgame.

In case one wants a regular middlegame, the Classical Variation(especially Korchnoi’s line with a4.) is playable.

The Bayonet Attack needs more preparation.

P.S.: Just now I checked the status of the Fiachentto Variation. It is good and suitable for positional players.Here one should be guided by personal taste and comfort level.

    I look at Anatoly Karpov's and Efim Geller's games with White against the King's Indian Defense.  Since I don't play the defense, I am more interested in winning with White.  The Four Pawns Attack is a variation I would not choose myself.  Karpov and Geller often played the fianchetto variation with the White pieces.

    For those who play the KID, this would be a good book.

Dear jleuke,

Many thanks for the interesting comment. The game you are referring to was between Edward Lasker and Alekhine, New York 1924. We shall have to see some line currently played.If you check NiCbase you will find about 11 games: 7 wins for White,3 losses for Black and 1 draw.Please don't rely on these statistics.See if anything suits you.

http://www.newinchess.com/NICBase/Default.aspx?PageID=400

In the book Black reaches a similar line after playing...Na6.It's 5.f4 0-0 6.Nf3 Na6 7.Bd3 e5 8.Bd3.This is different, as Black has not played...c5.There is detailed analysis on this line.

Dear music alhair,

Thanks for the comment.I understand the utter exasperation of the d4 player who is only facing the music against this opening.You are in the good company of Larsen, Korchnoi and Karpov who were also on the receiving end of the King's Indian.Then it was Tal, Fischer and Kasparov who delivered the blows.while I admire a great opening that owes so much to pioneers like Bronstein and Geller,I think, it's time for White  to show some artistry and play.Generally,I am also sceptical about quack remedies like snake oil.But what I have seen here so far looks good.Check out the analysis on Chess Stars site and also Chess Publishing.com Forum.

Dear OMGdidirealyjustsact,

Thanks for the comment.Yes, it is a well-known Moden Benoni line reached by transposition. If you check the Move List,I have also mentioned it. ECO codes mention it as A68.Until now Black used to generate a lot of counterplay against Four Pawns,especially, with 12.Bg5 Qb6. In this position 12.e6 has been seen before.Not 13.d6, Semkov's contribution.There are some 30 pages of analysis in the book on this line alone.

""No!The opening looked like Modern Benoni to me.What if Black does not play ...e6 and plays it in proper King's Indian  style?"

Sure, let us see for ourselves:"

No, actually that one is also a modern benoni!

I think the four pawns attack is still effective against the Kings indian as Black loses his prophylactic d6 pawn that controls c5.

As someone who hates the King's Indian in what I even admit is a completely irrational way, I welcome any book with that title-- even it if ends up being only "snake oil" or a false hope. 

My deal with the KID is irrational-- I admit it.  it goes back to before I knew anything at all about chess besides how to move the pieces and I have this hatred for any opening that essentially can be done while ignoring your opponent's moves.  It is to me like if you were playing baseball against a team that ran off at the top of the first and made their own bats. 

I guess I want chess to be "art" (Hey, Tal said something like that right?), or the moves to be a dialog or like a 2 person scene in theater or something.  To me the conversation only starts on move 6 in this thing.  Blah! 

Yeah, my rating does reflect that complete lack of reason not just in this opening but how that thinking spills over into other openings.

What if black plays 7 .. e5 as Lasker did against Alekhine.  Alekhine did sneak a draw out of a two pawn down endgame but black clearly had the winning chances.