Kings Indian Defense - E5 vs C5 push

A Benoni style is where after the c5 push, white typically plays d5 and enters a pawn structure similarly seen in the Benoni, whereas after the e5 push, you get positions that are seen often in KID. (note one difference is the 4 pawns attack, c5 is a necessity). So it's all about the pawn structures that arise and which suits you better! The e5 push aims to close the centre completely, and a knight on c6 can move to e7 after d5. The manoeuvring and key squares will be different in the two different structures. Both are playable but I guess you need to find which one suits you. 

Thanks Isaac.  So is one structure more tactical?  I know a main idea in the KID is a king side pawn storm.  What is a main idea in the Benoni structure?

In a Benoni type of structure, black's plan is to storm the queenside. I guess the point is, is that you want to sort of aim to attack where your pawn chain is aiming towards. With e5, black has a diagonal of pawns aimed towards the kingside, so that's where you'll attack. With c5, black has a diagonal of pawns aimed towards the queenside, so that's where you'll play. Ideas of Re8 (as often the e file opens up), a6 and b5 are sort of the ideas, you want to push the queenside pawns (supporting them of course!)

The Benoni and King's Indian are vastly similar, and can in some cases transpose to one another, especially in the Fianchetto, Saemisch, and Four Pawns Attack.

The main differences are two-fold.

1) The Modern Benoni typically sees a White pawn on d5 with specifically no black pawn on e5.  It is either on e7, e6, or traded off, typically on d5.  The King's Indian sees either a White pawn on d5 WITH a Black pawn on e5 OR a pawn trade (dxe5 dxe5 or exd4 Nxd4), leading to a symmetrical structure or a maroczy bind.

2) In the Benoni, the diagonal for the dark-squared Bishop is almost always open.  But do not let that trick you.  Black has other problems, like the d6-pawn.  In the King's Indian, outside of the Maroczy Bind scenario, the Dark-Squared Bishop is often Black's problem piece, like the light-squared Bishop is in the French Defense.  But his king is usually safer and is more of a race to mate vs promotion than it is a direct attack by White.

This is a common mistake.  The main idea of the CLASSICAL King's Indian MAR DEL PLATA is to storm the Kingside.  This is not true in all lines of the King's Indian.  You try to storm the kingside in the Four Pawns Attack or the Saemisch and you are going to get killed.  Lines like the Fianchetto and Black must temper expectations and usually grind it down to an endgame rather than a direct attack on the White King.

It is ONLY in the Mar Del Plata that you storm the Kingside.

#1

"My question is, what does this mean? What style is a Benoni vs a KID?"
++ Benoni is 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 c5. King's Indian is 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 g6 3 Nc3 d6 4 e4 Bg7.
"How do the main ideas after the pawn push differ?"
The 'pure' or 'hardcore' (dixit Radjabov) King's Indian Defence is with ...e5, but in some variations ...c5 is more prudent.

Generally, in benoni structures black does not play for a direct kingside attack, but more of a central/queenside play. I don't think you should worry about this at ~1000 rapid rating - both are fine, both equalize, pick one that seems simpler with easier plans and stick with it. 

Thanks for this clarification Isaac.  That help.  

Thanks for this answer ThrillerFan.  Both your comments help me to understand better.  

Ok. Thanks B1zmark. Maybe this is why there isn't more discussion about the distinction; because they both work.  I just wanted to understand better but maybe I just need to play both and see. 

Benoni structures - black usually plays to control the e4 square while working on a pawn break - pawn b5.

Thrillerfan has already talked a lot about the king's indian, I think. 

I believe the diagram above covers some main themes of the benoni, but I could have missed some stuff.

Thhis are two different ideas e5 and c5 leads to different plans and you should know when to play e5 and c5 c5 break or, a6, c6, b5 breaks is mainly used to generate queen side counterplay with open b file and open the diagonal of your dsb 

Whereas e5  may lead to king side play by f5, f4,g5, h5, etc but only in certain variation like mar del plata

You have to study theory I recommend gm gawain Jones chessable course on kid the only gm who had blindfolded believe on kid and other believe grunfeld is better

Anyway grunfeld is better according to super gms and engines and more fun to play

So I would as former kid player would suggest you to  switch to grunfeld