E94

King's Indian Defense: Orthodox 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

Nepomniachtchi,I vs Firouzja,Alireza0-1
Saint Louis Blitz 2023 • 2023★ Notable
Mamedyarov,S vs Giri,A1-0
10th Norway Chess 2022 • 2022★ Notable
Rapport,R vs Carlsen,M1/2-1/2
9th Norway Chess 2021 • 2021★ Notable
Gelfand,B vs Vantika,Agrawal1-0
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 21 • 2021★ Notable
Zong,Davis vs Erigaisi,Arjun0-1
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 16 • 2020★ Notable
Kramnik,V vs Radjabov,T1-0
WCh Candidates • 2011★ Notable
Gelfand,B vs Grischuk,A0-1
20th Amber Blindfold • 2011★ Notable
Kramnik,V vs Topalov,V1-0
Amber Rapid • 2008★ Notable
Topalov,V vs Mamedyarov,S1/2-1/2
Amber Rapid • 2008★ Notable
Aronian,L vs Svidler,P1/2-1/2
Amber Rapid • 2007★ Notable
Topalov,V vs Svidler,P0-1
Amber Blindfold • 2006★ Notable
Beliavsky,A vs Jobava,Ba0-1
WCC • 2005★ Notable
Volkov,S1 vs Nakamura,H1/2-1/2
FIDE WCh KO • 2004★ Notable
Lautier,J vs Khalifman,A1-0
FIDE WCh KO • 2001★ Notable
Kramnik,V vs Gelfand,B1-0
Amber Blindfold • 2001★ Notable
Kramnik,V vs Shirov,A1-0
Amber Blindfold • 2001★ Notable
Topalov,V vs Georgiev,Ki1/2-1/2
FIDE WCh KO • 2000★ Notable
Beliavsky, Alexander G vs Hamdouchi, Hichem1/2-1/2
FIDE-Wch k.o. • 1999★ Notable
Anand, Viswanathan vs Topalov, Veselin1-0
Amber Rapidplay • 1999★ Notable
Granda Zuniga, Julio E vs Shirov, Alexei0-1
FIDE-Wch k.o. • 1997★ Notable

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