All,
This encounter addresses the interesting concept of the King’s Indian Attack, a
prestigious aggressive setup by white, intended to drum up a direct king-side
assault on the black monarch. The KIA can be adopted against a number of
openings, including the French an Sicilian to name but two. Similar to the
London System, white’s “standard” moves can be found and played fairly
autonomously.
This game was my true test of a concept instilled into me by my Second at this
tournament, GM Neil McDonald. The rather surprising notion that if you take
away the fundamental target of the KIA, namely, the black king, then the player
of the white side may find it challenging to alter his plans. If no target is
to be aimed at, then, what indeed, is white meant to do. In brief, don’t place
the black king into the line of fire by castling king-side. This leaves the
black king’s rook out of play though, but how much does that actually matter?
Here is an excellent encounter of the type of thing that could occur.
Enjoy!
[Event "IBCA Olympiad 2017"]
[Site "Ohrid, MKD"]
[Date "2017.06.25"]
[Round "6.1"]
[White "Bindzus, Ernst"]
[Black "Ross, Chris"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C00"]
[WhiteElo "2218"]
[BlackElo "2158"]
[Annotator "Chris Ross"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2017.06.25"]
[WhiteTeam "Denmark"]
[BlackTeam "United Kingdom"]
{C00: King’s Indian Attack}
1. e4 e6
2. Qe2
{A slightly quirky way to meet the French, but it clearly indicates that white
has every intension of playing the KIA.}
2... d5
3. d3 Nf6
4. g3 Be7
5. Bg2 c5
{So, far, so good. All the standard moves in the KIA. The support down the
E-file can either be provided by Re1 or Qe2, both of which are pretty much
interchangeable.}
6. Nf3 Nc6
7. e5 Nd7
8. O-O
{White continues with the traditional style of the KIA. His king has been
secured and the white forces begin to flood their way to the king-side for the
upcoming attack.}
8... b5
{Black’s logical play is down the queen-side, since white is targeting the
king-side. Black expands as quickly as possible, in the anticipation that the
white forces have orientated themselves across to the king-side, leaving gaps
and weakness on the queen-side. Since the centre has been closed by white with
e4-e5, there is no immediate danger to the black king, nor along the h1-a8
diagonal.}
9. Re1
{Somewhat superfluous, as the e5-pawn has sufficient enough defence as it is.
However, white wishes to transfer the queen’s knight via its traditional route
via d2-f1-h2-g4 and into the king-side.}
9... Nb6
{As white floods the king-side with his pieces, black does like-wise on the
queen-side. The b6-knight offers support to a future c5-c4 pawn break, but has
sneaky ideas of dropping into a4. The rook on a8 is backwardly defended and the
d5-pawn is secured to avoid any tactical tricks that white may dream up with an
opening up of the E-file.}
10. c3
{The first indication that white is becoming wary of black’s advancing
queen-side forces. Since the black king has not vacated to the king-side yet,
white is trying to find that very difficult balancing status of not pressing
too far on the king-side and maintaining a level of support on the queen-side.
This pawn push intends to allow any blockading ideas with d3-d4 or c3-c4 were
black to push either of his D/C pawns. Although sound in that sense, the
c3-pawn does provide a point of anchor for the black B-pawn, which will ensure
opening up of lines.}
10... a5
{Proceeding calmly with the expansion on the queen-side. White has a slight
space advantage in the centre, but black is rapidly gaining space on the
queen-side, where tensions lie and pawn breaks more available.}
11. Bf4
{A typical KIA move. The bishop is developed and support is offered to the
e5-pawn. Discoveries on a loose rook on b8 may occur if lines are opened up and
a future e5-e6 made possible.}
11... Ba6
{Developing and eyeing up the c5-c4 break. The gathering of the minor pieces
behind the pawns is just the brewing up of the storm to come. It also sets up a
tricky question to white on how he is meant to complete his development.}
12. h4
{Frustratingly for white, 12. Nbd2 is not possible, due to the tactic 12... g5
ensnaring the un-expecting dark-squared bishop since it will not have any
flight squares. Retreating to e3 only allows d5-d4 furthering the entombment.
Note that white captures on d4 can be answered by nc6xd4 and the rook on a8 is
well enough protected, ensuring at least two minor pieces for the rook and the
opening up of dangerous lines for the black forces, in particular, the
light-squared bishop along the h1-a8 diagonal.}
12... h6
{Renewing the tactical threat of g7-g5,thus preventing white from developing
his queen’s knight once again. The text-move also prevents a white minor piece
landing on g5, where it could cause some difficulties, especially so to the
f7-square.}
13. h5
{Clamping down on the king-side, but removing this square away from the white
forces. The white queen will no longer have this square to menace the black
king-side and the pawn break g3-g4-g5 will be a lot harder to accomplish.}
13... b4
{Black proceeds as the plan demands. A pawn break is achieved and lines will
now begin to open up. White has successfully gained space on the king-side, but
in the doing, he has blockaded activity there, whereas black has open lines on
which to operate on the queen-side.}
14. Qc2
{The next indication that white is becoming concerned about his queen-side
stability. Again, he finds it difficult to develop since
14. Nbd2 may allow 14... Na4 and the white queen-side pawns are vulnerable.}
14... a4
{Consistent. Black marches on in the endeavour of opening up lines. The
queen-side is now becoming a major distraction for white, who would usually
like to be focussed on a king-side attack. With no black monarch rushing to
safety there, the white attention is drawn away to attend to matters on the
other side of the board.}
15. Nbd2
{Finally, white is able to develop his queen’s knight. He hopes to swing this
knight around via f1 and then into the king-side for the attack. In the
development of this knight though, it allows black to further his endeavour of
opening up lines.}
15... a3!
{Undermining the base of the pawn-chain. Lines must now be forced open.
White could win a pawn here by
16. bxa3 bxc3 17. Qxc3
Although it is not a happy pawn to win. Black should be able to round up the
doubled A-pawns in due order and the queen-side has been completely blown open.}
16. C4
{White strives to close the queen-side up. With the blockading of lines, he
hopes that the attention can be drawn back to the king-side, where he wants to
begin that all important king-hunt for the black monarch.}
16... axb2
{Since the well-placed knight on b6 defends the d5-pawn, this capture is
possible. Black does not fear exchanges on d5 since this would just open up
more lines for the black forces.}
17. Rab1 dxc4
{Again, black wishes open lines to operate his minor pieces. Moreover, an
isolated pawn is created, which black can target himself. White does not have
any good discoveries by moving the f3-knight, as black always has Nd4 gaining
tempo on the white queen. Even the exchange sacrifice on a8 would be to black’s
advantage, as the light-squares and the long h1-a8 diagonal would be at his
mercy.}
18. dxc4 Na5
{The isolated pawn is pressurised. The knight on c6 is no longer a “loose”
piece and the white pieces will have to manoeuvre to avoid the loss of a pawn.}
19. Bf1
{Defending the c4-pawn, but removing the pressure along the h1-a8 diagonal in
the doing. This eases the black troubles somewhat, but the loss of the pawn on
c4 could not be permitted.}
19... Qd7
{Maintaining the pressure on the light-squares. The a4-square is now a point of
focus, either permitting a queen exchange, or facilitating a knight leap into
c3, an awkward outpost for white.}
20. Rxb2 Na4
21. Rbb1 Nc3
22. Ra1 Bb7
{Reversing the pressure back along the h1-a8 diagonal. The knight on a5 may
also become loose, so protection is offered to it in the event that it becomes
a tactical liability.}
23. Bg2 Bc6
{Offering the black queen some protection as she adds her support along the
h1-a8 diagonal. The a4-square is also over-protected, with Ba4 ideas in the
offing, which may be annoying for white to deal with.}
24. Kh2
{Presumably, this move was born out of frustration, since white has still not
been able to launch a devastating king-side attack, simply due to the sole fact
that there is no black king on that side of the board to target. The white king
steps aside, with ideas of pushing pawns on that side of the board to create
weaknesses, once the black king has fled the centre.}
24... Qb7
{With the black queen’s support, the h1-a8 diagonal is becoming very
challenging for white. He is not able to untangle his pieces, since the
d2-knight is needed to defend his counterpart on f3 and the f3-knight can’t
move due to the loose nature of the light-squared bishop on g2. More
manoeuvring is required for white to free up his pieces.}
25. Re3 Rd8
{Removing the rook of the h1-a8 diagonal and exerting pressure down the open
D-file. Tactics may be available with Rxd2 if white is not careful.}
26. Bf1
{Attempting to untangle his pieces. The bishop removes itself off the long
diagonal, hoping to enable the f3-knight to spring away from the pressure.
26. a3 in the hope of opening up his queen’s rook has to be preferred.}
26... Ba4
27. Nb3
{27. Qb2 Nd1 snaffles an exchange. The white forces are finding it very
difficult to coordinate themselves. The text-move is an attempt to put pressure
on the c5-pawn and there may be sneaky forks if black is not on his toes.}
27... Nc6
{Avoiding all of the immediate tactics and bringing the knight back towards the
centre. Nd4 is now becoming a possibility.}
28. Bg2 Qa6
{Exerting more pressure on the c4-pawn and temporarily removing the pressure
along the h1-a8 diagonal. It is interesting to how the power on this long
diagonal has switched backwards and forwards. The dance of the minor pieces is
not only frustrating for white, but it is indeterminate to who will eventually
benefit from it.}
29. Nfd2
{White attempts to secure up his knight on b3 and to offer the c4-pawn more
protection. However, 29. a3 should be preferred once again, and white may be
getting some useful counterplay.}
29... Nd4
{Since the f3-knight has deserted its protection of this square, black opts to
occupy it immediately. The white queen does not have many squares to run to.}
30. Qb2
{And here we are, on move 30, and white has not had any inclination of a
king-side attack, which essentially, is the purpose of his opening setup. Black
has frustrated and played down the queen-side, opened up lines and played a
merry dance with his minor pieces to control and dominate the light-squares.
Since all of the black forces are just about on their optimal squares and the
white forces uncoordinated, it is eventually time to bring the king’s rook into
the game!}
30... O-O!
{The exclamation is only due to the fact that it has taken black 30 moves to
eventually castle.}
31. g4?
{An understandable reaction. For 30 moves, white has been suppressed and has
not been allowed to continue in the style with which he set out to play. With
the black king finally deciding to flee to the king-side, white instantly
launches the attack, hoping that till now, all of the distractions have only
been that, a distraction and no permanent damage caused. The black forces
though, have reached good squares and are perfectly placed to launch a
counter-strike.}
31... Nde2
{Gaining valuable tempo on the loose dark-squared bishop, which does not have
anywhere to escape too, thus gaining black the bishop pair.}
32. Bg3
{Black could consider giving up the exchange here with
32. Rxe2 Nxe2 33. Be3 Nd4
But black is more than well placed to fend off any potential attack and the
material should eventually convert itself.}
32... Bc6
{Returning the pressure to the h1-a8 diagonal. Since the white king-side has
been weakened, the exchange of these bishops is more than desirable for black.}
33. f4
{White decides that he has to go all-in now. Once committed, there is no
return. The advancing king-side pawns will attempt to tear the black pawn
shelter away from the black monarch. In the doing though, his own king is left
exposed. Which will perish first is the more important question.}
33... Bxg2
34. Kxg2 Nxg3
35. Kxg3 f6
{Prising open the F-file and more importantly, the dark-squares around the
white king. The position is just about untenable for white now.}
36. Qc2
{With high aspirations of penetrating into the black king-side and creating
havoc, which is all too little too late. White should give up an exchange here
with
36. Rxc3 bxc3 37. Qxc3 fxe5 38. fxe5
Although the position is pretty grim for white.}
36... fxe5
37. fxe5
{This exchange only opens up the dark-squares around the white king. The
combination of the dark-squares, the open h1-a8 diagonal and the open F-file
all contribute in the final slaying of the white king.}
37... Qc6
38. Qg6
{With some vague hollow threats of perpetuals. There is no time for this
though.}
38... Bg5
39. Rf3
{The only way in which white could play on is by
39. Rxc3 Bxd2 40. Rd3 Bf4+ 41. Kh3 Bxe5 42. Rf1
but this is hopeless.
The final blow is easy enough to find, after which, all variations lead to a
substantial win of material for black.}
39... Ne2+
{An excellent illustration of not placing a target (the black king) in the path
of the white forces, which his setup aims for. Without a target, the white
objectives have to be reassessed, revalued and reset. A task that not all KIA
players will be able to do successfully and the psychological uncertainty is a
powerful tool in black’s armoury.}
40. 0-1
Opening references
A.
9. Nbd2 a5 10. Re1 b4 11. Nf1
a4 12. h4 Ba6 13. Ne3 O-O 14. h5 Ra7 15. Ng4 b3 16. c3 c4 17. axb3 cxd3 18. Qd1
axb3 19. Be3 Ra8 20. Qxb3 Qb8 21. Qxb8 Rfxb8 22. b4 Bd8 23. Bf1 Bc7
Glidzhain,G (2369)-Prizant,J (2489)/Minsk BLR 2010/0-1 (60)})
B.
9. h4 a5 10. Re1 b4 11. Bf4 Ba6 12. Nbd2 a4 13. Nf1 O-O 14. h5 Nd4 15. Nxd4
cxd4 16. Nh2 b3 17. Qg4 Kh8 18. h6 g6 19. cxb3 axb3 20. axb3 Nc5 21. Bf1 Bxd3
22. Rxa8 Qxa8 23. b4
Bf5
Kantans,T (2467)-Koykka,P (2307)/Sastamala FIN 2014/1-0 (44)})
C.
9... Bb7 10. h4 h6 11. h5 Qc7 12. c4 bxc4 13. dxc4 d4 14. Bf4 Nf8 15. g4 f5 16.
exf6 Qxf4 17. fxe7 Nxe7 18. Nxd4 cxd4 19. Bxb7 Rd8 20. Qf3 Qg5 21. Ba6 Nf5 22.
Qxf5
1-0 Boidman,Y (2415)-Deglmann,L (2325)/Saarbruecken GER 2009})
D.
[Event "London Classic Open 2014"]
[Site "London ENG"]
[Date "2014.12.08"]
[Round "1.27"]
[White "McKerracher, D."]
[Black "McDonald, N."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C00"]
[WhiteElo "1980"]
[BlackElo "2431"]
[PlyCount "56"]
[EventDate "2014.12.08"]
[SourceDate "2006.10.09"]
d3 d5 3. Nd2 Nf6 4. g3 b5 5. Bg2 Bb7 6. Qe2 Be7 7. Ngf3 c5 8. O-O
Nc6 9. e5 Nd7 10. Re1 a5 11. Nf1 b4 12. h4 h6 13. h5 a4 14. N1h2 Ba6 15. Bf4
Nb6 16. Ng4 Bb5 17. Qd2 c4 18. b3 axb3 19. axb3 cxb3 20. cxb3 Ra3 21. Qc2 Qa8
22. Rab1 Kd7 23. Be3 Qa6 24. Rec1 Rc8 25. Bxb6 Bxd3 26. Qd1 Bxb1 27. Be3 Bd3
28. Ne1 Be2 0-1
Chris Ross
February 2018
