Crush the French Defense! An Introduction to the King's Indian Attack
The French defense has been championed by Grandmasters and novices alike. Depending on how one wants to play, it may lead to a game riddled with tactics and dynamic play or positional intricacies that requires the highest of accuracy in play.
Naturally, this may lead to complications for white, who finds his opening advantage (by virtue of white moving first) quickly squandered. Fortunately, there is an escape! Let me introduce to you the King's Indian Attack (KIA). The KIA is one of many openings that white has against the French. However, in contrast to some of its counter-parts, the KIA is based more on ideas and less about concrete theory and remembering move orders. This allows the KIA to be utilized by beginners. Nonetheless, do not let this simplicity delude you into believing that more experienced players do not use the KIA. As will be demonstrated, players such as Robert J Fischer and Kasparov were impressed by this system and used in at several occasions throughout their career.
What I am writing here will be a very brief introduction to the KIA. There are, of course many more possibilities and ideas that will not be covered in this blog, however these will be explored in the future in which I will explore this opening in further depth.
Chapter 1 - What is the KIA?
There are many ways to play the KIA. However the standard position, which will appear in nearly all KIA games, and from which the different variations and ideas start is the following:
This basic setup demonstrates some key features of the KIA. Black has fianchettoed his light-square bishop, in front of his short-side castled king. Nonetheless, do not be fooled, the KIA is predicated on a white kingside attack. The kingside knight is on its natural home on f3, yet the queenside knight does not wonder its way to c3. Rather, it lands on d2, from which, as we will see shortly, it usually moves to f1. From f1 the knight will either maneuvers its way to e3 or h2-g4. This works in conjunction with other moves that lead to a solid setup. Such as:
8. Re1 This clears the f1 square for the knight on d2 to enter. It also supports a typical idea in the KIA which is e5. With the rook placed on e1 it enables this move to withstand the quick Nd7 and Qc7 that black has to attack such a move.
9. Nf1 This follows the plan just mentioned. 10. e5 This is the standard idea in the KIA. As we will see in some of the games, this will typically clear the knight that is on Nf6 and resultantly clear the black kingside of defenders. 11. Bf4 This supports the pawn on e5, develops the bishop, and it allows white to place his knight that is currently on f1 on e3 without having to worry about strangling his dark square bishop.
12. h4 This move has several functions. Not only does it protect the bishop that is on f4 (by preventing some black idea of h6 and g5), it also starts the white assault of the black kingside. This is because it allows the Nh2-Ng4 idea as well as possible ideas of h5 followed by Nh4. 13. N1h2 following our plan. However 13. Ne3 is also very playable. 14. Ng4 From here white is able to start his kingside attack and the positions diverge from here. Often times, white ends up sacrificing this knight on h6 for winning chances.
Chapter #2 - Ideas for Black
There are two main ways that black can play against the KIA. In practice, the different variations are numerous, but I have chosen the two variations that in my experience are probably the most testing, and the ones that appear most frequently. The first, I would call the "mainline" idea:
Black will often times find himself in this position. The knight was kicked from f6 and now finds itself on d7. This diagram highlights two important understandings that players of the KIA should have:
1) White aims to clear the Black kingside of defenders in order to attack
2) While white attacks on the kingside with minor pieces, black will try to pawn storm the queenside - it's a race!
The other setup is fundamentally the same in terms of pawn storming the queenside. However, it aims to give the black king greater protection from the onslaught heading its way.
The main difference is that black has fianchettoed his kingside bishop. This will slow down his queenside pawn storm but gives the black king greater protection.
Chapter #3 - Exemplar Games
Game #1 - Fischer v Myagmarsuren
Game #2 - Benko v Bisguier
Chapter #4 - My own game and closing remarks
I would not be advocating for an opening having never tested it myself. Therefore I will include one of my best games in this opening that I played OTB against a personal friend of mine who is now a Candidate Master (CM). Although this was a blitz game, it does still demonstrate some important ideas.
The KIA will not be to everyones liking. Some may enjoy learning the more standard theory of closed French positions or lines with Nd2/Nc3. However the KIA serves as an alternative for this. I highly recommend doing your own, further research about this opening since it is definitely worth doing. You will be able to punish weaker players with mere ideas and stand a good chance, not only against the French, but also the Sicilian or Caro-Kann.
Feel free to send me any questions regarding the opening!
