E90

King's Indian Defense: Larsen Variation

Key moves: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 O-O 6.Be2

The main line of the Classical KID, featuring the Mar del Plata variation where both sides launch pawn storms on opposite flanks. It leads to some of the most exciting positions in chess.

History & Notable Players

The Mar del Plata variation, where White plays d5 closing the centre and both sides attack on opposite wings, is one of the most dramatic strategic concepts in chess.

Best Games

Aronian,L vs Carlsen,M1/2-1/2
75th Tata Steel GpA • 2013★ Notable
Nakamura,Hi vs Grischuk,A1-0
20th Amber Rapid • 2011★ Notable
Morozevich,A vs Grischuk,A0-1
Tal Memorial Blitz • 2008★ Notable
Radjabov,T vs Morozevich,A1-0
Amber Rapid • 2007★ Notable
Dao Thien Hai vs Ponomariov,R1-0
FIDE WCh KO • 2000★ Notable
Shirov, Alexei vs Hernandez, Gilberto1-0
Wch U20 • 1990★ Notable
Jussupow, Artur vs Spraggett, Kevin1-0
Wch-blitz • 1988★ Notable
Kosic, Dragan vs Gelfand, Boris1-0
Wch U20 • 1988★ Notable
Jussupow, Artur vs Rodriguez, A.1/2-1/2
WchT U26 • 1980★ Notable
Larsen, Bent vs Reshevsky, Samuel Herman1-0
Sousse Interzonal • 1967★ Notable
Gukesh,D vs Caruana,F0-1
Clutch Chess: Champions • 2025
Carlsen,M vs Nakamura,Hi0-1
Esports World Cup 2025 • 2025
Firouzja,Alireza vs Carlsen,M0-1
SpeedChess Final 2024 • 2024
Carlsen,M vs Nakamura,Hi1/2-1/2
chess.com SpeedChess 2022 • 2022
Karjakin,Sergey vs Radjabov,T1-0
Crocus City Stars Blitz • 2022
Le, Quang Liem vs Aronian,L1/2-1/2
Chess.com Rapid Wk9 Swiss • 2022
Le, Quang Liem vs Carlsen,M1/2-1/2
Charity Cup Prelim • 2022
Navara,D vs Anton Guijarro,D0-1
Lindores Abbey Tal Mem • 2021
Nepomniachtchi,I vs Grischuk,A1/2-1/2
chess.com Speed 3m+1spm 2017 • 2018
Carlsen,M vs Nakamura,Hi1-0
chess.com Speed 5m+2spm 2017 • 2018

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