The King’s Indian Defense: The Ultimate Counter-Attack
The King’s Indian Defense (KID) is a hypermodern opening where Black allows White to take control of the center with pawns, only to strike back later with a massive attack. It is a favorite for players who love “ferocious” attacks and complex, asymmetrical positions. Unlike the “boring” draws beginners sometimes find themselves in, the KID is designed to play for a win at all costs.
Lesson 1: The Hidden Power of the Fianchetto
The foundation of the KID is the move …g6 followed by …Bg7.
- The “Hidden” Bishop: Just like we discussed in Lesson 3 of the bishop video on youtube, this is a “good bishop hidden as a bad one”.
- The Long Diagonal: This bishop might look passive at first, blocked by its own pieces or pawns, but it has “laser eyes” on the entire long diagonal, controlling the center and attacking White’s queenside.
- Patience is Key: You might block this bishop temporarily with your own pawns on e5 or d6, but it remains a “menace” that shines as the game approaches the midgame and endgame