I guess one related question would be: why exactly is it that White tends to delay Nc3 in the Fianchetto Variation of the KID? Is Nc3 the only move that can derail my plan of a Benko once White's committed to a fianchetto? If it is, is there some concession White is making by playing an early Nc3 together with g3?
Or is the Nc3 avoidance just about something like trying to take the sting out of the Gruenfeld (which doesn't matter to me)?
I dont play these often but am somewhat understanding of basic concepts.... on the Nc3 issue, I think most players would simply want to get castled as soon as possible. So Nc3 would still be later and more flexible choices for that knight depending on your development... and the benko I know thematically involves Ba6 so if that's not attainable it would play very differently. If you find you can achieve the same aims with transposing getting a similar position that would be awesome. Good luck in your aims! : > )
7...cxd4 is not obligatory, and in fact I feel Black struggles somewhat in those positions (a more experienced player may disagree, but White just has a little more space and a powerful LSB).
7...Nc6 is the main move, and White pretty much chooses between 8.dxc5 and 8.d5. You'll need to know some stuff there as the symmetrical positions after dxc5 is not as harmless as it seems
I took up the King's Indian a few years ago and am fairly happy with it, with the caveat that I'm not crazy about facing the Fianchetto Variation.
On the other hand, I used to play the Benko Gambit, and I didn't mind facing fianchetto setups -- I gave up the Benko, rather, because of the main line, where Black exchanges bishops on f1, and white puts together an a4+b3 setup.
So I'm wondering -- if I start with a KID setup, and Black plays an early g3, are there downsides to switching plans and going to a Benko? What move order tricks do I have to worry about?
Here's what I mean: