[Event "King's Indian: Classic Variation"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/DkImmch8/6GGdTsuU"] [Result "*"] [Variant "Standard"] [ECO "E95"] [Opening "King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/SoftwareChess"] [UTCDate "2018.12.22"] [UTCTime "11:44:17"] [Source "https://lichess.org/study/DkImmch8/6GGdTsuU"] [Orientation "white"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7! { :-) } 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 (5. f3) (5. Be2) (5. Be3) 5... O-O 6. Be2 Nbd7!? { Not the most common, but I want to avoid the exchange variation. And in any case accepting a slighlty cramped position with Nbd7 is in the spirit. On the other hand, black rules out the possibility of playing the Mar del Plata variation. } (6... e5 7. dxe5 { annoying in my opinion } (7. O-O Nc6 8. d5 Ne7 { and this is quite a crazy line, impossible to play without serious preparation. }) 7... dxe5 8. Qxd8 Rxd8 9. Bg5) 7. O-O e5 { Now white has three main alternatives. Exchanging on e5, which looks a bit senseless; moving to a petrosian structure, claiming that Nbd7 is worse than Na6 as usually played there; keeping the tension } 8. Re1 { probably the most precise to keep the tension, since Be3 allows Ng4 (although it can be on purpose) } (8. dxe5 dxe5 { [%draw arrow,c7,c6] [%draw arrow,d8,e7] now this is still playable for white, but it does not make much sense. }) (8. d5 { see different file }) (8. Be3 Ng4 (8... Re8 { quite surprisingly this has been the favorite move, also by several king's indian experts. } 9. d5 { logic: what is now Re8 doing? } (9. Qc2 c6) 9... Nh5! { if Nf4,Bxf4 then Re8 would be okay } 10. g3 Bf8! { and this is the suprise. Now Be7-g5, Ng7, f5, etc. See Gelfand-Radjabov (2008) }) 9. Bg5 f6 10. Bh4 (10. Bd2 Nh6) 10... Nh6 11. c5 { very principled and direct against black's weird opening moves, but actually black is entirely fine } (11. d5 g5 12. Bg3 f5 13. exf5 (13. h3 f4 14. Bh2 g4 $15) 13... Nxf5 (13... Nc5 14. b4 e4 15. Nd4 Nd3 (15... Nxf5 16. Nxf5 Bxf5 17. bxc5 Bxc3 18. cxd6 cxd6 19. Rb1 b6 $13) 16. Nxe4 Bxd4 17. Rb1! Nxf2! $10 { Yue - Radjabov (2010) }) 14. Nd2 (14. Ne4 g4 15. Nfg5 (15. Nfd2 h5) 15... Nf6 16. Bxg4 Nxg4 17. Qxg4 Nd4 18. Qh5 Bf5 19. f3 Qd7 $13) 14... Nd4 15. Bg4 (15. Nde4 Nxe2+ 16. Qxe2 h6 { very important structure with 2B but fixed pawns against N+B with a strong square for the knight }) 15... Nf6 16. Bxc8 Qxc8 17. Nf3 (17. Nde4 g4!) (17. f3 Qf5 $13) 17... Nxf3+ 18. Qxf3 h5 19. h4 g4 $13) (11. dxe5 dxe5 12. Qc2 Nf7 13. Rfd1 c6 14. b4 Qe7 15. c5 Re8 16. Nd2 Nf8 17. Nc4 Ne6 $13) (11. Qd2!? { played against g5, crafty move } 11... c6 (11... g5?! { in the lyon's mouth } 12. Nxg5 (12. Bg3 g4 (12... f5 13. exf5 g4 14. Ng5 exd4 15. Nd5 Nc5 16. b4 d3 17. Rae1! $16) 13. Nh4 exd4 14. Qxd4 f5 15. Qd5+ Kh8 16. Nxf5) 12... exd4 13. Nd5 (13. Nb5 fxg5 14. Bxg5 Rf6 15. Bxf6 (15. Nxd4 Nc5 16. Bxf6 Qxf6 $13) 15... Nxf6 16. Qxd4 Nf7 $13) 13... Nc5 14. Nf3 c6 15. Nf4 Nxe4 16. Qxd4 Re8 17. Nh5 Bh8! $13 { and, of course, this position is just crazy }) (11... Nf7 12. Rad1 c6 { and this becomes some sort of long term torture. Not clear which side is torturing which one. As it often happens with the king's indian, it is quite difficult to evaluate the position with the computer. }) 12. Rad1 (12. d5 Nf7 13. b4 cxd5 14. cxd5 a5! { [%draw arrow,d7,c5] } 15. a3 Nb6! $13 { [%draw arrow,f6,f5] }) 12... Nf7 13. h3 Re8 14. Qc2 Qe7 15. b4 (15. c5 dxc5 16. dxe5 Ndxe5 17. Nxe5 Nxe5 18. f4 g5! 19. Bg3 gxf4 20. Bxf4 Be6 $15) 15... Nb6! { quite unexpected, in my opinion } 16. a4 (16. c5 exd4 17. Nb5 (17. Nxd4 dxc5) 17... dxc5 18. bxc5 cxb5 19. cxb6 a6 20. Bd3 Qb4 $15) 16... a5 17. b5 Qf8!? { [%draw arrow,h4,d8] [%draw arrow,f6,f5] } 18. Bg3 (18. Rb1 exd4 $17) (18. d5 c5 $10)) 11... g5 12. Bg3 g4! (12... exd4 13. Nxd4 Nxc5 14. b4 Nxe4 15. Nxe4 f5 16. Rc1 fxe4 17. Nb5 Nf5 18. Qd5+ Kh8 19. Nxc7 Nxg3 20. hxg3 Rb8 21. Qxe4 (21. Nb5 Bf5 22. Nxd6 Bg6 $13) 21... Bf5 $13) 13. Nh4 f5 14. Nxf5 (14. exf5 exd4 15. Nb5 Nxc5 16. Nxd4 c6 (16... Qf6?! 17. Nb5) 17. Rc1 Qf6 $15) 14... Nxf5 15. exf5 exd4 16. Nb5 Nxc5 17. Nxd4 (17. Rc1 Bxf5 18. Nxd4 Bd7 19. b4 Ne4 $13) 17... c6 18. Bxg4 Qf6 19. Ne6 Nxe6 20. fxe6 Bxe6 21. Bxe6+ Qxe6 22. Re1 Qf6 23. Qxd6 Qxd6 24. Bxd6 Bxb2 25. Rab1 Rfe8 $10) (8. h3 exd4 9. Nxd4 Re8 { as a rule of thumb, when white plays h3 black can confidently play exd4 and Re8, because f3 will leave a lot of weak squares. } 10. Qc2 Nc5 (10... Nxe4 11. Nxe4 Bxd4 12. Bg5 f6 13. Rad1 { is a bit risky }) 11. Bg5 (11. Bf3 Nfxe4) 11... h6 12. Bxf6 Qxf6 13. Rad1 c6 $17) (8. Qc2 { with Qc2 white pieces may be better placed against the idea of opening the center exd4 (mainly because the rook can come over quickly to the d file). Black can try to use the old plan of opposing attacks; in this case is probably important to start with Qe7, because the a- pawn should not be touched, since in many variations black will play c5, white will attack with b4 and there black needs to have b6 with solid structure } 8... Qe7 (8... Nh5!? { proposing once again the same theme. This has been played by strong grandmaster, but in my opinion does not make too much sense in view of Bg5 } 9. Bg5 Bf6 (9... f6 10. Be3 Nf4) 10. Be3) 9. Rd1 { this is the logical continuation if white simply wants to keep the tension. } (9. Nb5?! c6) (9. Be3 Ng4 10. Bg5 f6) (9. d5 a5) 9... c6 (9... h6?! { black cannot start with h6 because after Rd1 white is actually threatening c5! } 10. c5! dxc5 (10... exd4 11. cxd6 Qxd6 12. Rxd4 $14) 11. dxe5 Nxe5 12. Nxe5 Qxe5 13. f4 Qe7 14. e5 $16 { and next Nd5, which would not be possible if c6 had been played. }) 10. Bf1 h6 { and waiting moves are over. } 11. d5 (11. Rb1 Nh7 12. b4 Ng5 $10) 11... c5 { here it goes the game with opposite flank attack. Black's main concern should be the Nd7 which is not ideally placed. It may even happen that it is rerouted with Nb8-Na6! } 12. a3 (12. Bd2 Ne8 13. a3 f5 14. exf5! (14. b4 f4 $13 { [%draw arrow,g5,g4] [%draw arrow,g6,g5] } (14... Ndf6? 15. Nh4! $16 { black has always to watch out for Nh4 })) 14... gxf5 15. g3 e4 16. Nh4 Ne5 { this kind of position is probably the best option for white. Black has to be very precise since its center is fragile. } 17. Be2 Bd7 18. f4 (18. b4 Rc8 $13) (18. f3 e3 19. Bxe3 Nxf3+ 20. Bxf3 Qxe3+ 21. Kh1 $13) (18. Re1 Nf6 19. f3 exf3 20. Nxf3 Ne4 21. Nxe4 fxe4 $13) 18... exf3 19. Nxf3 Nf6 20. Nh4 Ne4 21. Nxe4 fxe4 22. Qxe4 Rae8 23. Bf4 (23. Qg2 Nxc4 24. Bxc4 Bd4+ 25. Kh1 Rf2) (23. Qc2 Ng4 24. Bxg4 Bxg4 $19) (23. Rf1 Nf3+ 24. Bxf3 Qxe4 25. Bxe4 Rxe4 26. Rxf8+ Kxf8 27. Rf1+ Ke8 28. b3 Bd4+ 29. Kh1 Bh3 30. Re1 Rxe1+ 31. Bxe1 Bg4 $15) 23... Qf7! 24. Qc2 Bf6 25. Ng2 Qg6 { stockfish gives 0.00, but obviously the position is just very complex. }) (12. Be3 Ne8 (12... Nh7?! 13. Qc1 { [%draw full,h6] }) 13. Rab1 f5 14. b4 cxb4 15. Rxb4 f4 16. Bd2 Nc5 $15) 12... Nh7 { if white does not have the battery Qc1-Bd2(e3) ready, then black can play this knight to h7 } 13. b4 b6! { is important to play this move right now, so that Nb5 can be answered with Nb8 } 14. Nb5 (14. Bd3 Ndf6 { [%draw arrow,f6,h5] } (14... Nb8!? { is also interesting })) 14... Nb8! $13 { protect c7, prepares Na6 and activates the bishop } (14... Ndf6!? { is also interesting }) 15. Ne1 f5 16. f3 Na6 17. Nd3 Nf6 18. Nc3 g5) 8... exd4! { if white did not play d5, I do not want to give him another chance to do so! Actually, a lot of moves are possible here, but the problem is that white can keep the tension on, with moves such as Bf1, and if black tries to also to play waiting for white to close the center with d5 and then start the counter attack with f5, he will find himself with some weakness (for example, he would have played a6, or c6 meanwhile). } (8... c6 9. Bf1!? { continuing the waiting game and passing the ball to black. } (9. d5 { it has to be studied to understand how to react the the d5 push when a pawn is already on c6 }) 9... h6!? { !!? A strange looking move, in this strange looking waiting game. The explanation is quite deep, indeed. Basically, at this point black can choose whether to open the center (suggested by the computer with even chances, roughly speaking) or to pursue a classical fight with closed center and planning f5. In the latter case, after having tried several moves order and different plans, the best option for black looks like to not move the queenside pawns, and preparing the kingside expansion by playing h6. } (9... exd4?! { this is definetely playable, but if white plays precisely he will keep a space advantage and some pressure. If black's idea is to give up the center then it's better to do it without c6 }) (9... a5 { is the most played in this position. However, with the queenside weak white can try to exchange the central pawns. } 10. dxe5 dxe5 11. Qc2 Qe7 12. Na4 $14) (9... a6!? { An interesting option, among several of them. The computers like exd4, in order to gain some squares for the black knights, but I think that only white can be better, thanks to the space advantage. Moreover, if black really wants to take d4 (as general strategy), he should do so without c6. } 10. d5 { [%draw full,d7] this is always the favorite by the computer, which likes white space advantage. At this point black's problem is how to carry on the standard plan with f5 even with the stupid-looking Nd7 (which should be in e7)? } 10... Ne8!? { crafty move. To understand it, look at the variation starting with 10...c5: in short, black waits one tempo before to close the center, in order to see what is white reaction } (10... c5 { it has been played successfully, and is perhaps the most coherent. No need to say stockfish hates black position after this. Admittedly, Nd7 looks weird (should be in e7) } 11. a3 h6 { it does not feel correct. } 12. Bd2! { [%draw arrow,d1,c1] } 12... Ne8 (12... Nh7 13. Qc1 { [%draw full,h6] }) 13. Qc1 Kh7 14. b4 f5 15. exf5 gxf5 16. Qc2 e4 17. Nxe4 fxe4 18. Qxe4+ Kh8 19. Qg6 $18) (10... cxd5!? { first computer choice, followed by b5 black is quite close to equality } 11. cxd5 (11. Nxd5 Nxd5 12. Qxd5 Nf6 13. Qd3 b5! { one line where a6 is useful! } 14. cxb5 axb5 15. Qxb5 Ba6) 11... b5!))) (8... Qe7! { using a similar strategy such as after 9.Qc2, black prepares the field for closed center and opposite flank attack. } 9. Bf1 h6!? { and now it looks like white ran out of waiting moves. } 10. d5 (10. Be3 Ng4) 10... a5 { with typical structure (see different file) }) 9. Nxd4 Re8 { Despite some exchange, this position is very complex. Black needs to know where to place his pieces, or he can easily end up with a very bad position (due to d6). On the other hand, if he knows the way then he can achieve nice piece activity, and fair chances to take over the initiative. } 10. Bf1 (10. f3 Nh5!? 11. Be3 (11. g4 Qh4! 12. Rf1 Ng3 13. hxg3 Qxg3+ 14. Kh1 c5! { the key move } (14... Be5 15. f4 Qh3+ 16. Kg1 Qg3+ $10 { [%draw arrow,e5,c3] black needs Bxc3 }) 15. Nc2 Be5 16. f4 Bxc3 17. bxc3 Nf6 18. Bf3 Bxg4 19. Ne3 h5 $17 { this combination is quite amazing }) 11... f5 12. Bf1 (12. Qd2 f4 13. Bf2 c6 14. Rad1 Ne5 15. Nb3 Be6 16. c5 Bxb3 17. axb3 dxc5 18. Qxd8 Rexd8 19. Bxc5 b6 20. Bf2 Bf6 $13 { [%draw arrow,h5,g7] [%draw arrow,g7,e6] }) 12... f4 13. Bf2 Ne5 14. Qd2 (14. c5 dxc5 15. Ndb5 Bd7 16. Qd5+ Kh8 17. Qxc5 Qg5) 14... c6 { [%draw arrow,c3,b5] [%draw arrow,c3,d5] to keep white knights out of d5 and b5, and thus too free black queen from defensive duties. Black's position is okay. } 15. Rad1 Qg5 16. Kh1 Qf6!? { an amazing concept, suggested by stockfish. Black lures white king in the corner before to play Qf6. Against the attack on d6 he will play simpley Be6 } 17. Nb3 Be6 18. c5 (18. Qxd6 Bxc4 19. Qd2 Bf7 $13) 18... Bxb3 19. axb3 dxc5 20. Bxc5 Ng3+! { here it comes the justification of Kh1 } 21. Kg1 Nxf1 22. Kxf1 Qf7 $15) 10... c6 11. Bf4 (11. f3 Ne5! { [%draw full,e5] first important point: this knight has to go to e5 } 12. Be3 a6! { [%draw arrow,c6,c5] [%draw arrow,d6,d5] [%draw arrow,b7,b5] second important point: with a6 black prepares all possible breaks, b5, c5 and even d5 (by avoiding Nb5). He will choose depending on white reaction. } 13. Qd2 b5! (13... c5!? 14. Nc2 Be6 15. b3 Rb8 16. Rad1 Qa5 $13) 14. cxb5 axb5 15. a3 (15. f4 Nc4 16. Bxc4 bxc4 17. Nxc6 Qd7! 18. Nb4 Nxe4 $17) (15. b3 b4 16. Na4 Bd7 17. Nc2 c5! 18. Qxd6 Bxa4 19. Qxd8 Rexd8 20. bxa4 Rxa4 21. Red1 (21. Bxc5 Rc8 $15) 21... Rc8 $10 (21... Rda8 22. Bxc5 $16)) 15... Bd7 (15... Bb7 16. Bf2 Nfd7 17. Rad1 Nc5 $13 { very complex position }) 16. Rad1 Qb8 17. Bf2 (17. Nc2 Nc4 18. Bxc4 bxc4 $13) 17... b4 18. axb4 Qxb4 19. Nc2 Qb3 $13) (11. Nc2 Ne5 { here both Ne5 and Nc5 are playable. However, Ne5 looks more active, keeping an eye on the kingside. } (11... Nc5) 12. h3 (12. Ne3 Nfg4!? 13. h3 (13. f3 Nxe3 14. Bxe3 Be6 15. Qa4 (15. Qd2 Nxc4 16. Bxc4 Bxc4 17. Rad1 Be5 18. f4 Bxc3 19. Qxc3 Rxe4 $17) 15... a6 $15) (13. Nxg4 Bxg4 14. Qb3 Be6 15. Qxb7 Qa5 16. Qb3 (16. c5 Qxc5 17. Be3 Qa5 $17) 16... Rab8 17. Qc2 Bxc4 $15) 13... Nxe3 14. Rxe3 Qe7 15. b3 Nd7 16. Bb2 a6 $10) 12... Be6 13. b3 Nh5 14. Nd4 c5!? 15. Nde2 (15. Nxe6 fxe6 16. Bd2 (16. Rb1 Rf8 17. Qc2 g5 $15) 16... Rf8 17. Rc1 Qf6 $15) 15... g5! 16. Nb5 g4 17. Nf4 (17. Qxd6 Qh4 $17) (17. Nxd6 Re7 18. hxg4 (18. Bg5 f6 19. Be3 Rd7 20. Bxc5 Bf8 21. Nc3 Bxd6 22. Bxd6 Rxd6 23. Nd5 Nf4 24. hxg4 (24. Nxf6+ Qxf6 25. Qxd6 gxh3 $19) 24... Bxg4 $17) 18... Nxg4 19. Bg5 Qf8! $17 { a computer line }) 17... Nxf4 18. Bxf4 gxh3 19. Nxd6 Bg4 20. Qd5 Re6 21. Nxb7 Qf6 22. Bg3 (22. Nxc5 Rd8 23. Nxe6 Rxd5 24. exd5 hxg2 25. Bxe5 gxf1=Q+ 26. Kxf1 Qh6 $19) 22... Rae8 23. Nxc5 Rd6 24. Qb7 Rd2 25. Qb5 Rc8 $17 { a deep computer line }) 11... Ne5 (11... Nc5 { with this move black can take a pawn, but for a huge price. } 12. Qc2 (12. f3?! Qb6) 12... Nfxe4 13. Nxe4 Bxd4 14. Bg5 (14. Bxd6 Nxe4) (14. Nxd6 Re6 15. Rxe6 (15. Nxc8 Rxc8 16. Bg3 Qf6 $17) 15... Bxe6 16. Rb1 (16. Rd1 Qf6 17. Bg3 Bxb2) 16... Qf6 17. Qd2 $13) 14... Qd7 15. Nf6+ Bxf6 16. Bxf6 Re6 17. Rxe6 Qxe6 18. Bc3 $40) 12. Qd2 Nh5! { this kind of knights manouver is important to remember! Nh5 is almost always the key to improve black's position. } 13. Bg5 (13. Bh6 Bxh6 14. Qxh6 Qf6 { [%draw arrow,f6,f2] } 15. Qd2 a6 16. Rad1 Nf4 $13 (16... b5 17. cxb5 axb5 18. Nxc6 Nxc6 19. Bxb5 Bb7 20. Qxd6 $13) (16... Bd7 17. Nc2 (17. Qe3 b5 (17... Rad8 18. g3 Bg4 19. Be2 Bxe2 20. Qxe2 Qg5 21. Kh1 Qh6 22. Kg2) (17... Ng4 18. Qf3) 18. Nf3) 17... Bg4! { usual theme })) 13... Qb6 14. Na4 (14. Rad1?! Bg4 15. Na4 (15. f3 Bxf3) (15. Be2 Bxe2 16. Qxe2 (16. Ncxe2 Nxc4) 16... Qb4 $17) 15... Qa6 (15... Qc7 16. f3 Bd7 17. b3 $16) 16. b3 Bxd1 17. Rxd1 Nf6 18. f3 { [%draw arrow,c4,c5] stockfish gives quite a compensation for the exchange, that looks very suspicious } 18... b6 19. c5 Qb7 20. cxd6 Rad8) (14. Nb3 Be6 15. Be3 Qc7 16. c5 dxc5 17. Nxc5 Bc4 18. Bxc4 (18. Rac1 Ng4 $19 { a mating attack out of nowhere! }) 18... Nxc4 19. Qe2 Nxe3 20. Qxe3 Rad8 $15) (14. Nc2 Be6 (14... Qxb2 15. Na4 $18) 15. b3 Qa5 $10) 14... Qxd4 15. Qxd4 Nf3+ 16. gxf3 Bxd4 17. Rad1 Be5 18. c5 (18. Nc3 Be6 $15 19. Be3 f6 20. Bd4 g5 21. b3 Nf4 22. Ne2 Ng6 23. Be3 a5 24. a4 Nh4 25. Bg2 Kf7 26. Nd4 Bd7 27. Rd3 Rg8 28. Ne2 Be6 29. Nd4 h5 30. Nxe6 Kxe6 31. Red1 f5 $15) 18... dxc5 19. Nxc5 Bf4 20. Bxf4 Nxf4 21. a3 Kg7 $10 *