I'm not sure the exact reason, but here's something even more interesting:
Kings Indian Question
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I would guess it has to do with white's planned placement though, in the Ne1 line white plans Be3 and Nd3 to push c5, so black can attempt to stop it with piece play. Compare this to the Nd2 line, where white plans b4-c5, which is impossible to stop, and white will play Nc4 with an extra attacker on the d6 pawn, black needs to be prepared to defend it so he plays Ne8. Just my guess.
With the knight on e8 white effectively gains a tempo in the Be3 variation (no need for b2-b4).
Hi, I have a question on the KID main line.
Why is Ne8 considered inferior to Nd7? It may not slow down c5, but it fortifies c7, and doesn't block in the bishop. The KID main line is pretty much the same, but the knight is on e8 rather then d7.