The King’s Indian Defence is one of Black’s most dynamic reactions to closed openings such as d4/c4 and Nf3. Black sacrifices space in the centre but gains flank counter-chances on both wings in compensation. It has been a favourite of the pioneering Soviet grandmaster David Bronstein, who was followed enthusiastically by like-minded aggressors such as Mikhail Tal, Bobby Fischer and Garry Kasparov.
A new book, First Steps: The King’s Indian Defence by Andrew Martin (Everyman Chess), is an excellent introduction to this complex system. Notes to the following game are based on those in the book.
Brown-Mamedyarov: PRO League, chess.com 2018; King’s Indian Defence
1 d4 d6 2 Nf3 g6 3 c4 Bg7 4 Nc3 Nf6 5 e4 0-0 6 Be2 Bg4 The bishop on c8 is often a problem piece in Benoni and King’s Indian systems, so Black aims to exchange it off at the earliest possible opportunity. It is clearly playable and even really strong GMs use it from time to time as a surprise weapon.
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