Mastering the King’s Indian Defense Robert Bellin and Pietro Ponzetto Collier Books Macmillan Publishing, Company New YorkBae Mute Copyiht © 1990 ny Robert Belin nd Peto Poneto ‘Al ih reseed, Mo part thx ook may be repr, by any means eens Grecian cing photocopying, ei hd tneval stem, Wout permusion in Colles Boos Macias Pubishng Company 46 hd Avenue, New Yor NY 10022 (Cole Matmiin Cand re ‘rary of Cong Ctaloingin-Paication etn, Rober. ‘Mastering the Kin nian dtse/Rober lin and Pateo Poneto. — st cali oot Poco (Buford ces book) ssh e901. chee Openings Ponaeta, Pst. 1952 Tie ‘eres Gvissnanses 1989 era de sam oP ‘Macrian oks ae ana at pe asouns for blk pushups forsee ‘Promotions premiums funda oF edvatnd we. For Jes Coat Spc Sues Disoe Macilan Pblsting Company 6 Tale Avenue New York NY 1002 ot Colo Books Eton 1990, woatesesay Prt in Gret Brain Contents Preface i Introduction x “The Mar del Plata Centre ' 1 2 The Pesosian Centre 28 43 The Simisch Centre 38 4 The Averbakh Centre a7 5S The Simplified Centre us Orthodox Centre BL 7 Simisch Variation: the Modern Centre 145 & The Orthodox Centre against g2-g3 158 9 Yugoslav Centre nm 10 ‘The Panno and Kavalek Centres 185 ‘Table of Variations 20Preface With this work we have set our- selves avery precise goal:to teach ‘the understanding of the opening not by cataloguing variations but by explaining the Key ideas and plans of each player quickly and easily with the Read and Play ‘method and: in such a way. more: over, that the reader can Tallow the geeater part ofthe ext without a chessboard To achieve this ambitious aim, wwe have been guided by the princi ple that once the central pins have assumed a stable configur- ation there exists a greater stra- tegic and tactical affinity between diverse variations wit the same fetal pawn structure than between diferent lines ofthe same variation which fead to diferent pawn structures. This simple approach ensbles us immediately to understand the basic idea of ‘any positon whatsoever, This is jn stark contrast to what happens in noial books of opening the fry, where the exigencies of sys- tematization end up making the brooess of undersianding very dificult Having esablsbed this stating point the continuation is logicals we divide the opening not accord Ing to variations but according to “ype of centre’ (which normally retains the name of the principal ‘variation so that diferent ines of the same variation will be exam- ined in one oF other type of centre aaccoring to the configuration of the central pawns which sooner or Tater becomes established. Con- sideration ofeach typeof centre is then divided into three parts: @ ‘deep analysis ofthe strategic ideas {ovth partcolar attention to the ‘most modern), and overview of the recurring tactical themes, and Sinally some illustrative games, meticulously annotated, especially inthe opening, examining which (and here itis necessary (0 use chessboard) the reader will find not only a practical correspon- dence with the two theoretical atts, but abo certain numberof ‘exemplifying variations. Attentive reading of the illustrative games is Indispensable for the fll compre-Preface hhension of the strategie concepts previously expounded. ‘Of course, it has not been poss- ‘ble 0 consider all the types of ‘entre which can ait from all the ‘opening variations. The central siructures considered are the most ‘important and the most common, ‘and comprise at least 85 per cent of posible cases. For those poss bilities not considered (which all, drive from minor byways) the reader can refer to traditional ‘monographs, Inthe claboration of our subject wehave tried to maintain as objec. tive a Viewpoint as. possible without taking one side or the other. We hope thereby to have obtained an impartial exposition ofthe ideas of each type of centre, the knowledge of which is indis: pensable whether one intends 19 play the white side or the black fide This ceutre can be used by a wide range of players it can be used by beginners in ander to eam the fundamentals of the open (or by experts needing to expand their range of variations quickly ‘or even to aequire an entirely new adgition to their opening reper- toite. OF course, sizong players for whom a more profound know= ledge of the variations and latest wrinkles is essential, must use tis work in conjunction witha syste matic text. We hope that readers wil find ‘our exposition clear, that they learn, that they enjoy themselves, and that they quickly improve their playing standard: only then will our Read and Play method dnove Bt the mark. Introduction ‘The King’s Indian Defence is a system of playing agains! she hase ‘Queen's Paven Opening (1 fol lowed by €2-od) characterized by the moves... 6, g6, 1 87 and... d6 Black's strategy simost always features kingside casting and either... eS ar... eS. da the most general sense, White’ response can be clasified accord ing to whether the KBs developed on its original f1-a6 diagonal or is fanchettoed. Given thas we have not divided the material into variations, as is usually the ease, but have intron duced the concept of ype of cen toe’ i willbe useful to provide the reader with a summary of the ‘contenis of the tem chapters in this book: ‘The firs thive chapters examine the various closed ceatres which ‘an arise when Black plays... 5. Chopter 1 Mar del Plata centre: White's KN 's developed on {3 and she centre closed alter .. ek, Black’s QN {2008 to 67. Both sides almost always castic kings. Chapter 2 Petrosian centre: White's KN is developed on 1, the centre closed, and Black's QN placed on either ‘dT or a6. Both players often casteJatroduction short, but White retains more The fifth and sixth chapters Chapter ? Aexibility than in Chapter 1, examine central pawn exchanges ater Black plays «5, Modern contee versus Saimisch Chapter 3 Variation: Black initiates qucen- foe side action before declaring his ‘Simisch centre: White's KN isnot developed on (3 (in order not to ‘obstruct the Fpawn). The centee is losed; White retains. maxims Sexibiity garding casing. Simplified centre: the defle i intentions inthe centre. ‘opened by des dxe5. Chapter 10 anno. centre: Black pursues ‘queeaside setionscentratMexibility resend. ‘The ast three chapters deal with centres where White plays p2-e3, Chapter 6 Goes ‘The fourth chapter deals with Orthodox centre: Black plays the closed contre which arises exdd when Black plays .. eS Chapter 4 Averbakh centre: Black plays Sand the centre is closed. Orthodox centee against g2-g3 Black plays .. € followed by xd. ‘The seventh chapter vos Black's options against the Chapter 9 ‘Simisch not covered in Chapter Yugoslav centre: Black plays... 3 ‘Sand the centre is closed. Kavalek centre: the eile becomesInicodetion ‘open after d4-d5; the cen! fixed. Which variation should T play? ‘To help you decide which varie ation is most appropriate for yout Style we have compiled a table of ‘variations (Gee page 200) which indicates their level of strategic fand tactical complexity. In Aidton, ne have wed a suey of nary 200 pares layed 2 foumarents of FIDE cata? fn abowe 10 exact ttt aconnaig the fequeny 2d reals pewonge of ach Sine 9 ato provide tell er oft eel file Ths sou meen al he nforasion ‘rou to make te ow thie mbcton scoring (0 Jou" teat, 1 The Mar del Plata Centre Main Line: Mar ddl Plata Vari 70.0 G6 8 283 p49 £95 ation 1 1 d§ 006 2 of e6 3.03. ag? 4 ef d6 5 O13 00 6 Be? 05 700 G06 8 dS eT (I). 0 cl hs 11 ds er, 1 Strategic Ideas ‘The main strategic ideas can be deduced from the pawn structure A vmnilar structure eam arise fiom other lines, eg, 1 d4 O46 2 ch g6 3 Ge} Ae? 4 e4 do 5 OB 0.06 de? eS and aow: (1) Closed centre with same side casting (2) Wie’s space advantage on. Gligorie System the queenside Te} Og (or 7... 06 8.45 (3) The central pawn ebains Bet) 8 AS 15 9 Lhd cs (4) White's weakness on the dd 10 88 Aer. and [4 squares“The Mar del Plata Cone Closed centre with same side eastling With the centre closed aad the kings eased on the same sie it is clear that the game can easly develop into one of respective flank attacks, White exploiting bis spatial advantage on the qucen= side and Black his natural .. 7 15 break on the other (3). ‘The mutual mobilization of flank pavins is also indicated by the position of the ©e7 and the ‘B13. lack’s QN is, in fet, ideally placed to support the advance. 17-£5 aed chen join in the attack via g6 oF g8. White, on the othor hnand, normally chooses to support the 64 point by 12-1 in response to Black’ atack, and therefore it is natural to transfer the knight to the queenside by @B-e1-d3 or DB-2-c4 In positions with mutual ‘attacks, Black wil generally avoid ‘exchanging pavens on of after the sequence .. 15, £3 as this would 2 increase White's defensive space, and prefers instead to cramp the ‘opponent's king by .. f5-f4, rely ing on the g-pawn to elect a breakthrough later on. The manoeuvre Of3- 01-43 Having a spatia! advantage on the ‘queen's wing itis lear that White will try 10 organize an attack in that sector. Black's pawn structure isvery solid, however, andin order tomake progress itis necessary 10 ‘open lines and ereate weaknesses. Both these goals cao be achieved by attacking the c7-d6-e5 pawn chain with the advance e4-e5, and te manoeuvre best suited for is preparation isthe simultaneously ‘offensive and defensive ©3-e1- Bi Sometimes, White chooses to ‘increase control of eS by linking thi manoeuvre with the develop- meat of the QB on e3, intending to withdraw the bishop to 2 ia cease of 15 The manoeuvre... f6-d7— 6 (On his side, Black must fee the ath of his Fpawn and thus it i ‘natural fo move the knight to d7 inorder to hoid up the eS advance tthe same time (9 Homever, should White show himself reluctant 0 weaken his kking’s position and erate a break ‘through point on the kingside by playing 13, then the @d7 must return to f6 in order to farce the elence of ef by 2-1. tis alo important for Black to force 2-13 in order to be able to play... {4in the conditions sbown in the above diagram without allowing ‘White to gt rid of his bad bishop by e2-p4 Black has a alternative to ‘etuming. with the knight 1 16 The Mar dei Plats Centre in the capture... [Srof with the iowention, as we shall se later, 10 Use £5 for his pieces and occu i Py wil be remembered that after the moves... &f6, Black ‘obtains nothing from the exchange {Sre4 and instead claims his ‘own space advantage onthe king- side with ... [5-F entrusting his chances to the advance of the g- own, ‘The opening of the e-file and the weakness of the pawn on d6 ‘The main aim of the advance ot 65 Is fo follow up with the exchange ¢Sxd6 so that after the recapture... 7x46 White obtains the eile and weakens the pawn ‘on d6 as a basis fr his queenside play (6) ‘The pressure slong the e-file can be reinforced by doubling the 3“The Mar del Pat Cente heavy pieces, and that against the 46 pawn by bd andjor Wb3. 183, Two other ideas are the disrup- tive silly c7-e6 (generally linked with wb3 after which White does not fear... 106 because the opening of the die, weakening of the light squares in the enemy camp 2nd enhanced dynamism of the «2-28 diagonal ‘would all work in his favour), and Yrinning the s-pavwn after #2 by means of the deflection &xa7 since =. x47 Would leave the bishop on e8 insufficiently protec- ted. Black may either choose to bandon the &-pawn to its fate, contenting himself with .. ed 7 after 8xa7 in she hope that the time lost by White wil help his attacks o simply prevent the capture by playing ... a6 ‘The advance a2-a4 ‘is ust for this last reason above thas White plays a2~ad (ee Diag: rain 6), securing the pasition of the ©bS in order to be able 10 rmeet...a7-a6 with the manoeuvre ‘Obs ai-of looking to fix the ‘weakness on b6 by a subsequent af aS (0) ‘Although Black can attempt to resolve the development of his ‘queenside by the manoeuvre ‘Bob-d7-b5, itis clear that once White has occupied b6 he will have total control ofthe eile “This paralysing manocuvre can sometimes be efetively halted half-way if Black succeeds in organizing the advance ... b7-bS before White can fx b6 with a4 54), In such types of postion White's attack may be slowed up Suliciently t0 allow Black to shit the emphasis of the strugae to the ‘opposite flank: The defensive manoeuvre 216-08, ... 248-17, 4ig7-18 Clearly, though, Black cannot aiford to be solely preoccupied With the a-pawen andfor 66 square ven that White's two main objec tives are pressure on d6 and pen- ‘tration on c7. To protect these two weak points Black normally retreats the 016 to e8, bringing the rook to £7 and completing the defence ofthe dbpawnby.. 8 (9p Ja this manner the points €7 and d6 are defended theee times and the square g7 is. simul- taneously made available to the ‘KR, from where itis ideally placed to support the advance of the g- pawn. ‘Tho ... 94 breakthrough Black's nopes on the kingside are closely bound up with the breakthrough... gf: the opening ofthe gle... gxt3}willevidently “The Mar de Pata Cente seriously endanger the safety of the white king. Thus itis logical ‘hat White will ty to control pd as much as possible with moves such as h2-D3 and 43-2, Nat ural, given the key importance of the kingside breakthrough, Blac, for Sis. pat, will not Resitate to calist the h-pawn foe support (10. Here, Black does not yet have sulicient control to eflect the advance ... g5-g4, and therefore iT he cannot play ... e816 he sometimes has recourse 10 the manoeuvre ‘Be7-g8-W6 Normally, however, the ©e7 will be transferred tof via 6 and the breakthrough with .. e4 played anyway, even at thecostofa pawn, especial since the opening ofthe