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The Classical King's Indian with h3 has gained a wide following, mostly because of its flexibility. It is commonly called the Makagonov System (E71) when White plays 5.h3 and the Krasenkow System when White plays 5.Nf3 followed by 6.h3 (though that was actually Vladimir Makagonov's preferred move order!) -- but I have not made a distinction between the two here as transpositions are common. It is worth noting that when Martin Breutigam produced his ChessBase CD in 2002, he complained about having a paucity of source material to draw upon. Times have certainly changed, for it seems that the line is now completely mainstream and much has been written about it.
I think the lines with h3 for White are very worth exploring, with a lot of room for creativity. In some ways, h3 seems like a "high class waiting move," with White waiting for Black to commit himself before deciding on his plan. I am most interested in the line from the Black perspective, where I tend to favor an early Na6, which is Black's most flexible rejoinder. An interesting option against the 5.h3 move order, though, is a Byrne approach with a6, c6, and b5, as seen in the game Suba - Golubev, Predeal 1997, though this idea is not much discussed in the literature.
You can find many videos with the line on YouTube, most from kingscrusher (as Black) and ChessExplained (typically as White). Below I offer only a sample of their countless videos with the line, along with those of other players. Game collections can be found at Chessgames.com, 365Chess, Chess.com, Red Hot Pawn, and Chess Age. Selective game collections by DHW and MadBishop are also useful.
Bibliography
The following materials are listed in reverse chronological order. As always, I welcome additions and suggestions from readers.
Modernized: The King's Indian by Dejan Bojkov, Metropolitan Chess Publishing (2014): 237-271. See my complete review of this book in an earlier post. Chapter 5 focuses on what Bojkov calls the "Bagirov Line," with 5.Nf3 and 6.h3, which others call the Krasenkow. Bojkov recommends lines with Na6 followed by e5. Sample games include Parligras - Fressinet, Plovdiv 2012; Avrukh - Milov, Gibraltar 2009; and Milanovic - Bojkov, Kraljevo 2011.
"Full Board War!" by David Vigorito, Chesslecture.com (Feb. 14, 2014). An 18-minute video featuring P. Svidler vs. H. Nakamuraplaying the King's Indian: Makagonov System (E71). By subscription only.
Winning with the King's Indian by GM Simon Williams, OnlineChessLessons (2014).
The video is previewed below -- part of the "crash test chess" series. Features the Krasenkow variation in the game Korchnoi - Williams 2009, which opened with 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. h3 e5 7. d5 a5 8. Bg5 h6 9. Be3 Na6.
King's Indian h3+Bg5 Averbakh Variant-TWIC 958 by Michael Yip, d4ChessNews (2013). Analyzes the game Kozul - Posedaru, Karpos Open - Skopje 2013 with a nice White victory.
A Strategic Chess Opening Repertoire for White by John Watson, Gambit (2012): 148-177.
"Aggressive Queen Pawn Games, Part 1" by IM Bill Paschall, Chesslecture.com (August 27, 2012). A 27-minute video that discusses the game Alexander Beliavsky vs. Aleksa Strikovich and the King's Indian Defense: Makagonov Variation (E71). By subscription only.
Dejan Bojkov, A Modern Way to Play the King's Indian ChessBase DVD (2011). A really excellent video, which does not stop at covering Na6 against the Classical but covers this modern, flexible approach against most lines that White can throw at you, from the Four Pawn Attack to h3 lines. Among the games discussed are Avrukh - Milov, Gibraltar 2009.
"King's Indian Defence E90, Part 3," by Mikhail Krasenkow, ChessBase Magazine 134 (2009). Examines the line 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 0-0 6.h3 e5 7.d5 a5.
"King's Indian Defence E90, Part 2," by Mikhail Krasenkow, ChessBase Magazine 133 (2009). Examines the line 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 0-0 6.h3 e5 7.d5.
"King's Indian Defence E90, Part 1," by Mikhail Krasenkow, ChessBase Magazine 132 (2009). Introduces the Krasenkow Variation, with 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 0-0 6.h3.
"Magnus Madness; Part II; Avoiding Main Lines in China" by David Vigorito, Chesslecture.com (Oct. 5, 2009). A 25-minute video presentation on Magnus Carlsen vs. Veselin Topalov (2009) featuring the King's Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Rare Defenses (E90).
The King's Indian: A Complete Black Repertoire by Victor Bologan Chess Stars (2009). This is a solid opening repertoire book. Available online? Sample games mentioned in the analysis include Bareev - Gelfand, Linares 1994; Guigonis - Degraeve, Montpellier 1997; Dinstuhl - Sieglen, Bad Godesberg 1991; Hansen - Kasparov, Svendborg 1990; Akopian - Hernandez, Linares 1996; Karpov - Golubev, Odessa 2008; Karpov - Kasimdzhanov, Spain 2007; Markus - Kotronias, Vrnjacka Banja 2006; Lutsko - Golubev, Odessa 2008; Gyimesi - Ivanov, Andorra 2001; Jansen - Reinderman, Hilversum 2008; Beliavsky - Kozul, Portoroz 1997; Kasparov - Kramnik, Las Palmas 1996; Andreikin - Cabezas, Kallithea 2008; San Segundo - Shirov, Madrid 1997 and others.
Beat the KID: Three Lines against the King's Indian by Jan Markos, Quality Chess (2009).
Excerpt at the Quality Chess site. Reviewed by Carsten Hansen, Calls the line with 5.Nf3 and 6.h3 the Krasenkow System. Some games collected at Chessgames.com.
"Ideas in the King's Indian for Black, Lines with 5.h3" by IM David Vigorito, Chesslecture.com (July 16, 2007). A 22-minute video featuring the Advanced King's Indian (E71). By subscription only.
Beating the Fianchetto Defences by Efstratios Grivas, Gambit (2006): 139-188. Reviewed by Carsten Hansen, and see publishers website for info and sample. Recommends the Krasenkow line with 5.Nf3 and 6.h3.
King's Indian Battle Plans by Andrew Martin, Thinker's Press (2004): 217-229. A very useful book, which offers a wide range of ideas for Black against each White system. It features a whole chapter devoted to the Makagonov System, with ten sample games, including Krasenkow - Sutovsky, Pamplona 1998; Barsov - Sutovsky, York 1999; Krasenkow - Smirin, Belgrade 1999; Antic - Velimirovic, Subotica 2000; Gelfand - Gdanski, Belgrade 1999; Babula - Kiik, Istanbul 2000; Epishin - Bischoff, Bundesliga 2002; Barsov - Gallagher, Calcutta 2001; Divljan - Sahovic, Belgrade 2001; and Krasenkow - Antoniewski, Glogow POL 2001.
Offbeat King's Indian by Krzysztoff Panczyk and Jacek Ilczuk, Everyman (2004): 70-102. Focuses on the Makogonov System, where White plays 5.h3 and delays deployment of the Ng1, which typically develops by Nge2. The authors cover a wide range of approaches for Black, and in doing so presents a good overview of the Makagonov System for White as well in some fairly balanced coverage. Games include Nikolaidis - Kotronias, Peristeri 1996; Akopian - Temirbaev, Uzbgorod 1988; Knaak - Piket, Hamburg 1991; Mikhaevski - Timoschenko, Paris 2000; Rogozenko - Ardeleanu, Brasov 1998; Suba - Nunn, Dubai 1986; Yermolinsky - Barcenilla, Chicago 2000; Chernin - Cebalo, Bled 1999; Gyimesi - Ilia Botvinnik, Tel Aviv 2001; Suba - Motylev, Eforie Nord 2000; Psakhis - Hrbolka, Pardubice 2002; Yermolinsky - Radjabov, Hyderabad 2002; Ivanchuk - Kasparov, Novgorod 1994; Bazhin - Fedorov, Kstovo 1994; and Kasparov - Kramnik, Las Palmas 1996.
King's Indian with h3 CD by Martin Breutigam, ChessBase (2002).
Reviewed by John Watson, Seagaard, and Carsten Hansen and generally well received. More from the White perspective and a little dated now, especially because the CD seems to have encouraged a lot more games with the line.
"Replete with Ideas: King's Indian Romanian Variation 5.h3" by Leon Pliester, New in Chess Yearbook 60 (2001).
"KI Romanian Variation 5.h3" by Alexander Beliavsky, New in Chess Yearbook 43 (1997) .
The Unconventional King's Indian by John Watson, Hypermodern Press (1997): 47-90. This book is available as a reprint from Hardinge Simpole. The chapter on h3 systems was quite groundbreaking, and clearly Watson considered lines with h3 among the most complex and interesting in the King's Indian due to their flexibility for both players. Watson outlines the many options and mentions many games, including Greenshpun - Yurtaev 1988; Simic - Cvitan, Yugoslavia 1981; Sokolov - van Wely, Groningen 1994; Knaak - Piket, Hamburg 1991; Minev - Watson, Las Vegas 1984; Paunovic - Kupreichik, Yugoslavia 1992; Soln - Shaked, Biel 1995; Averbach - Bondarevsky, USSR 1951; Hansen - Kasparov, Svendborg 1990;
and Ibragimov - Kruppa, USSR 1991 among many others in this very detailed and rich chapter.
Beating the Anti-King's Indians by Joe Gallagher, ICE / Batsford (1996): 31-52. Recommends a system build around an early Na6 followed by e5, with some exceptions. Main annotated games include Paunovic - Kupreichik, Yugoslavia 1992; Chernin - Polgar, New Delhi 1990; Raetsky - Gallagher, Hastings 1992-1993; and Alexandrov - Zakharevich, St. Petersburg 1994.
"Romanian Variation 5.h3" by Igor Glek, New in Chess Yearbook 36 (1995).
"KI Romanian Variation 5.h3" by Mihail Marin, New in Chess Yearbook 34 (1994).
Kasparov on the King's Indian by Gary Kasparov with Raymond Keene, Owl / Henry Holt / Batsford (1993): 72-78. Gives many of Kasparov's games vs. this system, up until 1992, but focuses on the games Kavalek - Kasparov, Bugojno 1982 (annotated by Kavalek in 2005 and 2013) and Hansen - Kasparov, Svendborg 1990.
The King's Indian for the Attacking Player by Graham Burgess, Owl / Henry Holt / Batsford (1993): 21-30. This is a classic repertoire book, which was quite cutting edge at the time for recommending lines with Na6. The recommendations against h3 are no exception. Sample games include Knaak - Piket, Hamburg 1991; Bronstein - Nijboer, Wijk aan Zee 1992; and Hansen - Kasparov, Svendborg 1990.
As always, I welcome additions and corrections from readers.
Related Articles:
The Kavalek System against the King's Indian Fianchetto Variation (E62) begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.Nf3 d6 5.g3 O-O 6.Bg2 c6 7.O-O Qa5. Developed in the 1960s by the Czech-born American GM Lubomir Kavalek, the line offers a very flexible response to the positionally challenging white Fianchetto. Black begins with 6...c6, blocking the fianchettoed Bishop's diagonal and opening a line for the queen to go to the active square a5, from whence it might start an attack on the queenside pawns with Qb4, support an ...e5 break, or even threaten to swing over to the kingside with Qh5 (where it can support Bh3 and possibly an attack with Ng4 as well -- which can be quite effective against unprepared opponents).
As I was assembling this bibliography, GM Eugene Perelshteyn began a series of videos on the line at Chess.com which should continue in the coming weeks and will make an excellent introduction to the line for those with a Chess.com membership. I also recommend playing through some games with the line at 365Chess, ChessTempo, Chess-DB, and Chess.com.
I have been inspired by GM Perelshteyn's recommendations in the King's Indian, which follow much of Dzindzichashvili's repertoire and focus on classic but lesser-known variations that tend to offer Black lots of options and ideas. Other articles in my expanding King's Indian repertoire for Black include the Byrne Variation vs. the Saemisch, the Classical King's Indian with 6...Na6, and the Old Main Line King's Indian with 7...exd4. A future article will cover meeting the Four Pawns Attack with Na6.
Bibliography
A 22-minute online video on an early ...c6 against the Fianchetto System, featuring the game Uesugi-Perelshteyn, Virginia Open 2009. Members only.
Modernized: The King's Indian Defense by Dejan Bojkov, Metropolitan Chess Publishing (2014): 273-306. I was alerted to this additional resource by a reader and ordered it from USCF Sales. I like Bojkov's past work a lot (on the KID with Na6 and the Pirc), and the Table of Contents and Sample was very promising. The book itself did not disappoint. I love the repertoire, which typically involves an early Black ...c6 advance, including in the Classical with 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 O-O 6.Be2 e5 7.O-O exd4 8.Nxd4 Re8 9.f3 c6, which is a fascinating line. The coverage of the Fianchetto System focuses on the Kavalek, but typically with an early ...e5 advance and ...exd4 exchange, making it resemble Bojkov's Classical line too, as seen in Laznicka - Vachier-Lagrave, Sestao 2010 and Harikrishna - Radjabov, Khanty-Mansiysk 2010.
Wojo's Weapons: Winning With White, Volume II by Jonathan Hilton and Dean Ippolito, Boston: Mongoose Press (2013): 250-267. See the Table of Contents online. Recommends meeting Black's "premature flank attack" with "a counterstrike in the center" with 8.e4, after which it advocates Ippolito's pet line 8...Bg4 9.h3 Bxf3 10.Qxf3!? which most sources say is weaker than 10.Bxf3 because the d4 pawn is left unguarded -- but the IM has had success nonetheless. The book offers excellent coverage of this line for amateur players as White, because the games generally feature the sort of mistakes by Black that amateur players will often see over the board. Featured games include Pigusov - Zaichik, Moscow 1987; Lechtynsky - Kranzl, Linz 1993; Wojtkiewicz - Huss, Germany 1998; Wojtkiewicz - de Guzman, Los Angeles 2004; Ippolito - Gross, New York 1995; Ippolito - Smith, Foxwood 2000. An interesting game (not mentioned in the book) is Ippolito - Becera Rivero, Foxwoods 2008, where Black equalized easily with ...e5.
"An Interesting System for Black Against KID g3" by Eugene Perelshteyn, ChessLecture.com (November 29, 2013). A 16-minute video offering an overview of the Kavalek system in the King's Indian Defense vs White's g3 based on GM Perelshteyn's analysis, with no specific games cited. By subscription only.
A Modern Way to Play the King's Indian by Dejan Bojkov, ChessBase DVD (2011).
A really excellent video, which focuses on using the "modern" Na6 (against the Classical, Four Pawn Attack, and h3 lines, for example) and some less usual alternatives -- including the Kavalek System against the Fianchetto Variation. Thanks to a reader for reminding me about this resource, which I had mentioned in my previous bibliography on the Classical King's Indian with 6...Na6 but forgot to include here.
"King's Indian for Black: Part III" by David Vigorito, ChessLecture.com (April 10, 2006)
A 22:40 online video on the King's Indian Defense: Fianchetto Variation (ECO: E62) that offers a useful overview of the Kavalek system with ...c6 and ....Qa5. By subscription only.
King's Indian Battle Plans by Andrew Martin, Thinker's Press (2004): 148-151. I like this book because it contains a wide variety of ideas and approaches, unlike normal "repertoire" books with their mono-cultures -- which makes it a good place to discover lines you might not have seen, such as the Kavalek System. Features the games Ljubojevic - Hausrath, Enschede 2002; Loginov - Khairullin, Samara 2002; and Marin - Hillarp Persson, Goteborg 1999.
g2-g3 w obronie królewsko-indyjskiej, część 2, Jerzy Konikowski, Wydawnictwo Szachowe Penelopa, (1999) OR Königsindisch mit g2-g3, band 2, Jerzy Konikowski, Dreier (1999).
The Fianchetto King's Indian by Colin McNab, International Chess Enterprises / Batsford (1996): 168-186. Offers very balanced and thorough coverage of the Kavalek with extensive notes on a few main games. Main games include Yusupov - Piket, Groningen 1992; Akopian - Sokolov, Leon 1995; Dorfman - Piket, Lvov 1988; and Ilincic - Damljanovic, Novi Sad 1995.
"King's Indian Defence, Fianchetto Variation" by Leon Pliester, with notes by Pia Cramling, New in Chess Yearbook #37 (1995): 158-163. Focuses on the line 8.h3 Be6 9.d5 cxd5 10.Nd4, when Black can sacrifice the Exchange, as in the featured game Portisch - Cramling, Prague 1995, by 10...dxc4!? 11.Nxe6 fxe6 12.Bxb7 Nbd7 13.Bxa8 Rxa8 with excellent compensation, as Cramling's notes support. Other games include Saidy - Dzindzichashvili, New York Open 1989; Casafus - Cramling, Buenos Aires 1994; Kuzmin - Vukic, Biel open 1988; Granda Zuniga - Stanec, Moscow ol 1994; Akopian - Sokolov, Leon 1995; Schulze - Barle, Bern 1992; Agdestein - Plachetka, Malmo open 1986; Vagainian - Cvitan, Sarajevo 1987; Georgiev - Ermenkov, Sofia 1984; Tatai - Vukic, Lugano open 1984; Pigusov - Barlov, Sochi 1985; Nikolic - Vukic, Yugoslavia 1985; Jasnikowski - Yuferov, Mikolajki tt 1991; Fominikh - Tseitlin, Rimavska Sobota 1991; Raupp - Kvamme, Correspondence 1990; Schone - Muse, Bad Neuenahr 1991; Ornstein - Johansson, Helsingborg 1991; Navarovsky - Muse, Budapest 1993; Vlatkovic - Ristic, Igalo tt 1994; Dorfman - Piket, Lvov 1988; and Cekro - Claesen, Geel 1995.
"King's Indian Defence, Fianchetto Variation" by Rustem Dautov, New in Chess Yearbook #36 (1995): 162-166. Focuses on the main line 7...Qa5 8.e4 Bg4 9.h3 Bxf3 when Dautov recommends White pursue 10.Bxf3 Nfd7 11.Rb1! as in his featured game Dautov - Har Zvi, Altensteig 1994. He also offers an excellent overview of the critical 8.e4 line, which many authors suggest is White's best try for advantage. Games include Salov - Piket, Brussels 1992; Djuric - Barlov, New York Open 1988; Djuric - Kozul, Bled / Rogaska Slatina 1991; Anderton - Snape, Corr. 1993; Vukic - Stohl, Austria 1992; Kharitonov - Forthoffer, Leningrad Open 1991; Lengyel - Honfi, Kecskemet 1968; Goldin - Dzindzichashvili, Philadelphia It 1992; Smejkal - Muse, German Bundesliga 1992; Hulak - Rogic, Slavonski Brod 1995; Kindermann - Maus, Hamburg 1991; Pigusov - Piket, Dordrecht 1988; Razuvaev - Soltis, New York Open 1989; Dizdar - Kozul, Slavonski Brod 1995; Pigusov - Kozul, Beograd GMA 1988; Yusupov - Piket, Groningen 1992; Tukmakov - Romero Holmes, Las Palmas 1992; Vaganian - Lechtynsky, German Bundesliga 1992; Tukmakov - Kamsky, Groningen PCA 1993; Antic - Sibarevic, Banja Vrucica 1991; Stern - Van den Brink, Pumerend 1993; and Goldin - Har Zvi, Rishon-le-Zion 1995.
Winning with the King's Indian: An Aggressive Repertoire for Black by Andrew Martin, Caissa Books (1989): 50-61. This book was an early influence on my King's Indian repertoire, but I was surprised at how few of its recommendations I follow any more. However, it recommends the Kavalek System against the White fianchetto, featuring the games Shamkovich - Jansa, Esbjerg 1982 and Ahmylovskaya - Nenad Ristic, Tbilisi 1987.
King's Indian Defence, g3 Systems by Efim Geller, Batsford (1980): 112-116. Following a discussion of an interesting Byrne-like system with 7...a6 planning 8...b5, Geller examines Kavalek's 7...Qa5, discussing the three main lines 8.d5, 8.e4, and 8.h3. Game references include Ivkov - Bronstein, Zagreb 1965; Furman - Tukmakov, Baku 1972; Ivkov - Larsen, Zagreb 1965; Gufeld - Lerner, Vilnius 1972; Lengyel - Honfi, Kecskemet 1968; Botvinnik - Larsen, Monte Carlo 1968; Quinteros - Panno, Mar del Plata 1969; Pachman - Tseshkovsky, Manila 1976; Cherepkov - Polugaevsky, USSR Ch 1969; Sokolov - Ivanovic, Yugoslavia 1971; Antoshin - Tsheshkovsky, Sochi 1974; Barcza - Trapl, Decin 1975; Janosevic - Vukic, Yugoslavia 1975; Csom - Ostojic, Sao Paulo 1973; Pfleger - Kavalek, Monstilla 1974; Smejkal - Torre, Leningrad 1973; Vukic - Martinovic; Janosevic - Vukic, Sarajevo 1971; Ivkov - Kavalek, Amsterdam 1968; Portisch - Kavalek, Skopje ol 1972; Quinteros - Torre, Olot 1973; Marovic - Micheli, Madonna di Campiglio 1974; Smejkal - Tal, Leningrad 1973; Liebert - Balashov, Leipzig 1973; and Portisch - Torre, Manilla 1974.
King's Indian Defence 2: White Fianchetto Variations by Lajos Portisch, Oscar Panno, Lubosh Kavalek, David Bronstein, Ulf Andersson, and John Grefe, RHM Press (1979): 15-32. Surprisingly, the section on the Kavalek Variation is written by John Grefe and not Kavalek. Grefe represents the main line as 7...Qa5 8.h3 e5 9.e4 exd4 10.Nxd4 Qc5 following games of Vaganian, but this line is no longer current. Game references include Panno - Cuartas, Bogota 1977; Padevski - Milicevic, Kragujevac 1977; Brown - Soltis, US Open 1978; Kirov - Ermenkov, Albena 1977; Rohde - Soltis, New York 1977; Hulak - Vukic, Vinkovci 1977; Webb - Fedorowicz, Hastings 1977/1978; Poutiainen - Ostojic, Stockholm 1976/1977; Keene - Korchnoi, Beersheva 1978; Csom - Mariotti, European Club Ch 1979; Kapelan - Quinteros, Vrsac 1977; Bleiman - Birnboim, Israeli Championship 1978; Tukmakov - Petrushin, USSR 1977; Ostojic - Valenti, Rome 1977; Watson - Soltis, New York 1977; Lein - Soltis, New York 1977; Rind - Haik, London 1978; Schmidt - Krnic, Belgrade 1977; A. Petrosian - Tukmakov, USSR 1st League Ch 1977; Tatai - Vaganian, Rome 1977; Csom - Vaganian, Buenos Aires Ol 1978; Whiteley - Littlewood, British Ch 1978; Ribli - Vaganian, Leningrad 1977; A. Petrosian - Vaganian, USSR Ch 1977; and Romanishin - Karner, Tallinn 1977.
"Other Fianchetto Systems" by Raymond Keene, Chapter 5 from The King's Indian Defence by Leonard Barden, William Hartston, and Raymond Keene, B.T. Batsford Limited (1973): 95-100. Keene describes the Kavalek Variation as "a scheme for Black involving an early ...c6, retardation of ....e5, and reliance on piece activity." In general, he finds that White still has a slight pull in the best lines. Cited games include Naranja - Petrosian, Havana 1966; Rukavina - Vukic, Sarajevo 1971; Savon - Kavalek, Sarajevo 1967; Grdinic - Nemet, Vrnjacka Banja 1966; Cherepkov - Polugaevsky, USSR Ch 1969; Botvinnik - Larsen, Monaco 1968; Lengyel - Honfi, Kecakemet 1968; Kozma - Ostojic, Monaco 1968; Lengyel - Smyslov, Polanica Zdroj 1966; Ivkov - Bronstein, Zagreb 1965; Bilek - Kavalek, The Hague 1966; Filip - Larsen, Zagreb 1965; Kozma - Bronstein, Debrecen 1967; Brond - Quinteros, Mar del Plata 1971; Ivkov - Larsen, Zagreb 1965; Kozma - Honfi, Monaco 1968; Ivkov - Yepez, Caracas 1970; Marovic - Bertok, Zagreb 1965; Smejkal - Wright, Hastings 1968-1969; Smejkal - Jacobsen, Raach 1969; Vaganian - Vukic, USSR-Yugoslavia 1971; Zhidkov - Litvinov, USSR 1971; Kushnir - Zatulovskaya, Match (9) 1971; Karpov - Wittman, Mayaguez 1971; Janosevic - Vukic, Sarajevo 1971; Podgayets - Litvinov, USSR 1971; Podgayets - Vukic, Sombor 1970; Ivkov - Kavalek, Amsterdam 1968; Quinteros - Poch, Mar del Plata 1970; and Donner - Kavalek, Amsterdam 1968.
As always, I welcome additions and suggestions from readers. I was surprised not to find many YouTube videos on this line and suspect that there are more out there. And there are likely some older articles and books worth mentioning.
I used to play the King's Indian Defense as Black only when opponents committed to an early Nf3, and I would switch to the Janowski Indian, Tango or Budapest if they didn't. This way I could avoid the dreaded Four Pawns Attack and Sämisch Variation. But I recently decided to commit to the King's Indian completely, which means learning a defense against everything White can throw at you.
The Sämisch was a big worry of mine until I came across the system developed by the late American GM Robert Byrne (1928-2013) that goes 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.f3 c6 6.Be3 a6 with the plan of ...b5 (E80 in ECO). As GM Efstratios Grivas has analyzed in some key articles and GM Eugene Perelshteyn helpfully discusses in a series of videos, this is quite a viable line -- especially if Black correctly delays castling in order not to provide White an easy target on the kingside. This is exactly how Byrne himself played it, so it is puzzling to find so many sources giving 5....O-O(?) as the standard move in the Byrne (E81 in ECO). Castling early not only creates a target, but it delays Black's queenside counterplay. The ...b5 advance indirectly strikes at the center, and one idea that Black has is to exchange off White's c-pawn by bxc4 and then break with d5. Black can also attack the center with ...e5 or ...c5 in some lines. It is a very flexible system.
Those adopting the Byrne against the Saemisch might also want to use it against the Hungarian 5.Nge2 with 5...c6 6.Ng3 a6 7.Be2 b5 (as recommended by Joe Gallagher in Beating the Anti-King's Indians, for instance), since White otherwise might transpose to the Sämisch later with 6.f3 leaving you flat-footed.
The system with ...a6, ...c6, and ...b5 was the subject of renewed interest following Byrne's death last year, so I suspect it is due for revival. I have personally never been a fan of the widely recommended anti-Sämisch gambit with 5.f3 O-O 6.Be3 c5, especially after I analyzed the game Elsness - Gallagher, Gotheberg 2005, where I found it hard to prove compensation for the pawn after 7.dxc5 dxc5 8.Qxd8 Rxd8 9.Bxc5.
I have only been able to consult publications on the Byrne from the last decade, but I am sure it was analyzed in print much earlier. I therefore welcome reader additions and suggestions -- especially regarding its early history.
Bibliography
The King's Indian Defense: Beating the Sämisch! - Part 3 by Eugene Perelshteyn, Chess.com (January 2014). GM Perelshteyn's introduction to the Byrne variation looks at his own games with the line -- here Fishbein - Perelshteyn, Burlington Open 2012.
The King's Indian Defense: Beating the Sämisch! - Part 2 by Eugene Perelshteyn, Chess.com (January 2014)
The King's Indian - Beating the Sämisch! by Eurgene Perelshteyn, Chess.com (December 2013) Discusses the game Novikov - Perelshteyn, San Diego 2004.
Robert Byrne and My Modern Defence by Nigel Davies, The Chess Improver (April 2013). Examines Larsen - Byrne, Leningrad 1973.
"Instructive Pawn Play in the Saemish King's Indian" by Eugene Perelshteyn, ChessLecture.com (January 22 2013). Runs 14:41 minutes. Analyzes Matthew Fishbein - Eugene Perelshteyn, Burlington Open 2012 which began 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3 a6 6. Be3 c6 7. Qd2 b5 8. a3 bxc4 9. Bxc4 d5. By subscription only.
"Several Ways to an Advantage: Saemisch System, Byrne Variation" by Boris Schipkov ChessBase Magazine #140 (February 2011). Looking at the Byrne from the White perspective, Schipkov agrees with Grivas that if Black castles White gets good attacking chances by normal means (Qd2, g4, Bh6, h4 etc.), but he also tries to show chances for a White edge after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.f3 c6 6.Be3 a6 by one of three methods: (1) 7.c5 b5 8.cxb6 with play on the dark squares or by attacking the c-pawn; (2) 7.Bd3 b5 8.e5 Nfd7 9.f4 bxc4 10.Bxc4 Nb6 11.Be2 or 11.Bb3; and (3) 7.g4 b5 8.h4 h5 9.g5 with some advantage in space for White. Games include Campos Moreno - Can, Khanty Mansiysk 2010; Narcisco Dublan - Sielicki, Andorra op 2008; Botsari - Managadze, Nikaia op 2009; Del Rio Angelis - Jaksland, Calvia 2005; Volodin - Seeman, Tartu 2010; Graf - Hug, Mitropa Cup 2002; Tomashevsky - Soto Paez, Khanty Mansiysk 2010; Chekhover - Shamkovich, Leningrad 1953; Piket - Van Wely, Hoogovens 1999; and Sakharov - Nesterov, Udmurtia 2008. Schipkov chooses games that favor White and do not feature best play by Black. The lines he recommends are challenging, but they should not discourage amateur players who will rarely if ever encounter the most theoretically correct lines of play from opponents.
"Initiative at all Costs!" by Eugene Perelshteyn, ChessLecture.com (January 13, 2011). Runs 19:58. Analyzes Chanda Sandipan - Eugene Perelshteyn, King of Prussia 2010, which opened 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. f3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 c6 7. Qd2 b5 8. O-O-O Bb7!? (unusual) 9. e5 dxe5 10. dxe5 Qxd2+ 11. Bxd2 Nfd7. By subscription only.
"Tricky Pawn Moves in the Opening" by Eugene Perelshteyn, ChessLecture.com (October 22, 2010). Runs 23:10. Analyzes the game Darwin Yang - Eugene Perelshteyn, Arlington 2010, which began 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.f3 a6 6.Be3 c6 7.c5 O-O 8.Nge2 b6 9.cxd6 exd6 10.Qd2 b5 11.g4 b4. By subscription only.
"Recent Developments in the Byrne System" by Efstratios Grivas, New in Chess Yearbook 92 (2009): 187-195. Grivas has written a number of articles on the Byrne, and here he does his usual detailed and thorough analysis. Main games include Przedmojski - Witek, Warsaw 2008; Moiseenko - Grivas, Kemer 2009; Andrianov - Grivas, Athens 1993; Schandorff - Erdogdu, Dresden 2008; and Papaioannou - Grivas, Iraklion 1995.
"379. 22 April 2008: Stunning computer move in a pre-computer game" by Tim Krabbe, Open Chess Diary (2008). Examines Timman - Greben, Amsterdam 1967.
King’s Indian Saemisch System (CD) by Boris Shipkov, ChessBase (2007)
Reviewed by Carsten Hansen.
The Sämisch King's Indian Uncovered by Alexander Cherniaev and Eduard Prokuronov, Everyman Chess (2007): 73-88. The authors begin already with a grave error by only considering lines that arrive at the Byrne via the move order 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.f3 O-O(?) 6.Be3 c6, when Black is prematurely castled and exposed to a straightforward attack on the kingside. The relatively slim volume offers scant coverage of the best lines in the Byrne Variation, though the games offered show relatively balanced play. Sample games include Wang Yue - Zvjaginev, Petrosian Memorial 2004; Riazantsev - Novikov, Moscow 2007; Haba - Golubev, Bundesliga 2001; and Postny - Socko, Moscow 2002. I did not find this book useful, even as an overview of the Saemisch.
King's Indian Saemisch, Byrne Variation (E80), by Efstratios Grivas, ChessBase Magazine #115 (December 2006). Also available in the ChessBase's Encyclopedia of Chess Openings. Grivas analyzes over 30 of his games with the Byrne Variation. Those looking to analyze the line closely would do well to begin with Grivas's PGN files here and with his article in the 2009 NIC Yearbook (see above). Games analyzed include Mishra - Grivas, Sharjah 1985; Marinelli - Grivas, Vinkovci 1989; Ionescu - Grivas, Kavala 1990; Mitrandzas - Grivas, Athens 1991; Kalesis - Grivas, Corfu 1991; Kalesis - Grivas, Athens 1991; Davies - Grivas, Tel Aviv 1991; Sarno - Grivas 1992; Raicevic - Grivas, Athens 1992; Knaak - Grivas, Athens 1992; Kalesis - Grivas, Athens 1993; Botsari - Grivas, Corfu 1993; Andrianov - Grivas, Athens 1993; Papaioannou - Grivas, Iraklion 1995; Konstandinou - Grivas, Aegina 1995; Orfanos - Grivas, Aegina 1996; Elsness - Grivas, Yerevan 1996; Atalik - Grivas, Karditsa 1996; Kanellakis - Grivas, Athens 1997; Efthimakis - Grivas, Athens 1997; Mouroutis - Grivas, Athens 1999; Nikolaou - Grivas, Athens 2000; Kaminellis - Grivas, Athens 2000; Meister - Grivas, Hungen 2002; and Vafiadis - Grivas, Aghia Pelaghia 2004.
The Controversial Sämisch King's Indian by Chris Ward, Batsford (2004): 118-126, 188-192. Ward offers a useful overview of the Saemisch, but his game selection seems a little idiosyncratic and White-focused. The treatment of the Byrne Variation is also rather limited, and games include Levitt - Friedgood, Birmingham 1998; Campos Moreno - Candela Perez, Orense op 1997; and Motwani - Hanley, British Ch 2004.
King's Indian Battle Plans by Andrew Martin, Thinker's Press (2004): 75-77, 86-88. There are many original ideas in Martin's book, so he naturally does cover the Byrne Variation in two games: Khenkin - Kozul, Belgrade 1999 and Ward - Hebden, British Ch Scarborough 2001.
The Sämisch King's Indian by Joe Gallagher, Henry Holt / Batsford (1995): 168-179. Discusses the games Christiansen - Wahls, Munich 1991; Schneider - Safin, Budapest 1991; Portisch - Ivkov, Wijk aan Zee 1968.
"The Sämisch Byrne" by Leonard Barden, The King's Indian Defence (2nd edition) by Leonard Barden, William Hartston, & Raymond Keene, Batsford (1973): 301-311. It is quite surprising how little has changed in the first dozen moves of theory in this line since 1973. Barden's treatment of the Byrne is quite thorough, covering 6...Nbd7, 6...O-O, and 6...a6 (the main line), referencing the following games (among others): Spassky - Kavalek, San Juan 1969; Portisch - Lehmann, Las Palmas 1972; Yanofsky - Saidy, Netanya 1969; Lombardy - Kavalek, Netanya 1969; Korchnoi - Gheorghiu, Moscow 1971; Nicolai - Gheorghiu, Hastings 1965-66; Botvinnik - Smyslov, Game 6 W. Ch. 1958; Pachman - Bednarski, Marianske Lazne 1965; Carbonnel - Berliner, World Corr. Ch. 1965-68; Ghitescu - Bednarski, Zinnowitz 1964; Gheorghiu - R. Byrne, Monaco 1968; Bykov - Gurgenidze, Harkov 1958; Korchnoi - R. Byrne, Hastings 1971-72; Nowak - Donner, Solingen 1968; Nowak - Szabo, Solingen 1968; Bronstein - Evans, Amsterdam 1964; Kende - Kupreichik, Riga 1967; Hodos - Pavlov, Sinaia 1965; Benko - R. Byrne, Monaco 1968; Darga - R. Byrne, Lugano 1968; van Scheltinga - Benko, Beverwijk 1969; Gheorghiu - Savon, Orebro 1966; Jones - R. Byrne, US Open 1970; Reshevsky - Stein, Los Angeles 1968; Bobotsov - Stein, Ukraine - Bulgaria 1968.
I am sure that there were articles before the turn of the Century on this line, and I welcome reader additions.
The Classical King's Indian begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 O-O 6.Be2, and now the most popular continuation is 6...e5 7.O-O Nc6, which can lead to the Mar del Plata variation after 8.d5 Ne7. But this line has accumulated a lot of theory, so it is tempting to explore the more offbeat alternatives. Previously I posted a bibliography devoted to the "Old Main Line King's Indian with 7...exd4" (with Nc6 to follow -- as opposed to the c6 lines examined by Ronen), and in Dangerous Weapons: The King's Indian, IM Yelena Dembo does an excellent job of trying to revive the 7...Nbd7 (or 6...Nbd7) lines that Najdorf and his Zurich 1953 contemporaries preferred. But the most interesting alternative to 7...Nc6 is offered by 7...Na6 (or 6...Na6), a variation attributed to GM Igor Glek.
Though Glek developed the Na6 system with the move order 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 O-O 6.Be2 e5 7.O-O Na6, it is now increasingly common for Black to prefer 6...Na6, delaying the e5 advance until White has committed to 7.O-O. Sometimes called the Kazakh System, this approach has the chief advantage of sidestepping the annoying exchange line that follows 6.Be2 e5 7.dxe5 dxe5 8.Qxd8 Rxd8 9.Bg5, where White can play Nd5 and/or O-O-O with quick development and a slight but annoying initiative. By comparison, the exchange line that follows 6...Na6 7.O-O e5 8.dxe5 dxe5 9.Qxd8 Rxd8 is completely innocuous due to White's short castling and the useful position of the Knight at a6, which prevents Nd5xc7 tactical threats and prepares to strike back at the e4 pawn with Nc5. After this exchange, Black has the better breaks, more targets, and excellent long term chances to exploit the weak d4 square -- see Morchiashvili - Volokitin, Batumi 2003 for an example (though, like most games with this line, it features a much lower player as White trying to hold a draw against a strong Black player.)
The most promising development in the 6...Na6 line, at least for us amateurs, is the appearance of a number of very good video presentations on it, especially by American GM Eugene Perelshteyn (at Chess.com, Chesslecture.com, and most recently Empire Chess) and GM Dejan Bojkov, whose excellent ChessBase DVD, "A Modern Way to Play the King's Indian," offers a complete KID repertoire built around an early ...Na6. There are also several online game collections at 365 Chess, Chess Tempo, and Chess.com.
I have tried to include everything I can find on this fascinating King's Indian line. But the King's Indian is such a dynamic and widely discussed topic that I am sure I have overlooked some interesting coverage. As always, I invite readers' additions and corrections.
Eugene Perelshteyn, Dominate White with the King's Indian Defense 6. Na6 System. DVD Empire Chess 2 (2013). Perelshteyn has made three presentations on the 6...Na6 Classical line -- for Chess.com, Chesslectures.com, and now for Onlinechesslessons.net's Empire Chess series. They all cover similar material, but this last video might be his most detailed. However, if you have a Chess.com or Chesslecture.com membership, I don't think you would have to invest in this video too, though it is nice to be able to watch it on your DVD player on TV rather than on your computer only.
Karsten Müller and Raymund Stolze, "His Great Love the King's Indian: A Short Repertoire a la Nakamura." Fighting Chess with Hikaru Nakamura. Edition Olms (2012): 186-197. This book on Nakamura's games is worth having in its own right (see my Chessgames.com collection of games from the book), but it also features an interesting chapter on Nakamura's KID repertoire, a couple pages of which cover his use of Na6 (though the focus is on Nakamura's use of the Classical with Nc6). Games discussed include Kreiman - Nakamura, Foxwoods 2003; Alekseev - Nakamura, Santo Domingo 2003; Ponomariov - Nakamura, 3rd St Louis 2011; Ponomariov - Nakamura, 5th St. Louis 2011; Gavrilov - Shimanov, Moscow 2011; Finegold - Nakamura, US Open Cherry Hill 2007; and Vallejo Pons - Nakamura, World Cup Sao Paulo / Bilbao 2011.
Eugene Perelshteyn, My Pet King's Indian, Na6. DVD Chess Lecture Volume 28 (2011). This is an excellent set of videos on the Na6 line, but unless you think you are going to watch it several times you would probably be better off just joining Chesslecture.com for a couple months, which will also give you access to a bunch of other excellent King's Indian videos by Perelshteyn, David Vigorito, and Leonid Kritz, among others.
Dejan Bojkov, A Modern Way to Play the King's Indian ChessBase DVD (2011).
A really excellent video, which does not stop at covering Na6 against the Classical but covers this modern, flexible approach against most lines that White can throw at you, from the Four Pawn Attack to h3 lines. He does not recommend it against the Saemisch (where he recommends the popular c5 gambit) or the Fianchetto (where he recommends the interesting line with c6 and Qa5). Specific games discussed include Plaskett - Nunn, Borehamwood 34/737 1982; Nakamura - McShane, London 2009; Likavsky - Richter, Germany 2006; Yevseev - Zhigalko, Cappelle la Grande 2006; Popov - Loginov, 77th St. Petersberg Championship 2004; Stellwagen - Iordachescu, Corus 2002; Avrukh - Milov, Gibtelecom 2009.
Eugene Perelshteyn, The King's Indian Defense 6...Na6 Variation, Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3. Chess.com. By Subscription only.
Arun and Magesh, "The King's Indian 7...Na6." Chess.com.
Annotates the game Khachiyan - Kamsky, St. Louis US Ch. 2010.
Alexey Kuzmin, "Quite an Original Move." NIC Yearbook 97 (2010): 200-204.
Focuses on the line 8.Re1 Qe8 ("quite an original move"). Games include Pashikian - Miton, Khanty-Mansiysk ol 2010; Karpov - Milov, Biel 1996; Yermolinsky - Milov, Moscow 2001; Margvelashvili - Kasimdzhanov, Konya tt 2010; Gonzalez-Garcia - Vachier-Lagrave, Sestao tt 2010; Timoshenko - Grigore, Berlin 1998; Rama - Miton, Khanty-Mansiysk ol 2010; Eljanov - Areschenko, Sochi tt 2005; Akopian - Radjabov, Bursa 2010; Dottling - Milov, Kemer tt 2007; Ftacnik - Efimenko, Bundesliga 2004-2005; Rychagov - Khamatgaleev, Patras 2002.
John Sanders, Nakamura - McShane, London Chess Classic 2009. ChessBase (2009).
Some useful contemporary notes on this great game from McShane from Round 5 of the 2009 London Chess Classic. Also available at the official tournament site.
Malcolm Pein. "Wild Win for Luke McShane." The Telegraph (15 Dec. 2009).
Bogdan Lalic, "A Modest but Venomous Rook Move." NIC Yearbook 88 (2008): 213-216. Mostly from the White perspective, focused on the line 8.Be3 Ng4 9.Bg5 Qe8 10.Re1!? (the "modest but venomous rook move") 10...exd4 and now the new idea 11.Nd5! Lalic recommends Black consider 11...h6 or 11...d3!? (following Topalov). Games discussed include Lalic - Bates, Hastings 2007-2008; Anand - Polgar, Leon advanced chess rapid playoff 2000; Bauer - McShane, Bundesliga 2003-2004; Popov - Nevostruev, Kazan 2005; Kramnik - Topalov, Nice rapid 2008; Khuzman - McShane, Saint Vincent 2005; Gustafsson - Bojkov, Ermioni tt 2006.
Lluis Comas Fabrego, True Lies in Chess. Quality Chess (2007).
This excellent book by one of the early adopters of 6...Na6 offers a full chapter of analysis and discussion of the Classical 6...Na6 line and some discussion of an interesting ending that can arise from it. Fabrego Comas Fabrego admits that his intention is not to offer a detailed analysis of the line, but some unique insights, games, and discussion. Worth having for the discussion alone, which has helped my own understanding of the line tremendously. Gomez Jurado - Comas Fabrego, Foment 1995; Paszek - Petkevich, Germany 1999; Candela Perez - Comas Fabrego, Burgos 2003; Gelfand - Markowski, Polanica Zdroj 1998; Huzman- Comas Fabrego, Istanbul 2003; Atalik - Comas Fabrego, New York 1998; Van Wely - Comas Fabrego, Escaldes 1998; Lautier - Comas Fabrego, Spain 1999; Garcia Ilundain - Comas Fabrego, Spain 1993.
Michael Goeller, "Classical King's Indian Defense with ...Na6." Kenilworth Chess Club (2006). Based on a lecture by FM Steve Stoyko in which he considers the White side of the 6...Na6 line in the Classical KID.
Alexander Khalifman, Opening for White According to Kramnik 1b, Chess Stars (2006)
Part II (pp. 61-114) covers the line 6.Be2 e5 7.O-O Na6 8.Be3 from White's perspective.
Joe Gallagher, Play the King's Indian. Everyman Chess (2004): 69-82.
Though Gallagher focuses on the Classical Variation with 7...Nc6, he offers a useful chapter on 7...Na6 for those who find the main line "too sharp or too theoretical." He also advocates Na6 vs the Averbakh. Main games include Rogers - Gallagher, Bundisliga 1997; Jackelen - Gallagher, Bundesliga 2002; Van Wely - Gallagher, Biel 2000; Knott - Gallagher, Torquay 2002; Grooten - Motylev, Essent Open Hoogovens 2003; Soffer - Mittelman, Israeli Team Ch 2003; and Gelfand - Markowski, Polanica Zdroj 1998.
Andrew Martin, King's Indian Battle Plans. Thinker's Press (2004): 231-236. Martin's book is a collection of over 200 annotated games with interesting ideas in the King's Indian. Though it does not offer a specific repertoire, it does expose the reader to lots of interesting approaches and ideas in the KID that you will not find in other books. Games specifically devoted to the Na6 line in the Classical include Anand - Polgar, Leon advanced chess rapid playoff 2000; Markos - Movsesian, Kaskady 2002; and Shulman - Perelshteyn, Milwaukee 2000.
Konikowski E94 ChessBase Magazine (November 2004)
This and the following article appear in the ChessBase Opening Encyclopedia, which is worth having.
Konikowski E94 ChessBase Magazine #98 (March 2004).
Igor Glek, "A New Try in the Glek Variation." NIC Yearbook 63 (2002).
Andrew Martin, Classical King's Indian E90-E99. Online PDF.
Kick Langeweg, "Developments with 9...Bg4." NIC Yearbook 53 (2000).
Graham Burgess, "KID: Kazakh Variation." 101 Chess Opening Surprises (1998 / 2001): 104. Games mentioned are Bruk - Tsifanskaya, Israel 1997 and Zviaginstev - Tkachev, Biel 1995.
Igor Glek, "With Karpov's 8.Re1." NIC Yearbook 47 (1998).
Kick Langeweg, "With 8...c6 and 8...Ng4." NIC Yearbook 46 (1998).
Vladimir Tukmakov, "With 8.Be3." NIC Yearbook 43 (1997).
Graham Burgess, The King's Indian for the Attacking Player. Henry Holt / Batsford (1993).
Perhaps the first treatment of the Glek Variation in a repertoire book. Burgess makes Na6 (against h3 systems, Gligoric, Averbakh, Four Pawns Attack, and Classical) a big part of his repertoire, though he also provides coverage of the Classical lines with 7...Nc6. This is still a very useful book for amateur players. Games include Dreev - Glek, Frunze 1988; Berg Hansen - Schandorff, Arhus 1992; Guseinov - Glek, Azov 1991; Aseev - Glek, Krumbach 1991; Miles - Anand, Rome 1990; Karpov - Kasparov, New York WCh (5), 1990; Hansen - Schandorff, Kerteminde 1991; Vladimirov - Kochiev, Gausdal 1991.
Peter Lukacs and Laszlo Hazai, "King's Indian, Glek Variation." NIC Yearbook 30 (1993).
As always, I welcome additions and corrections from readers.
