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In chess, the King's Indian Attack (KIA) is an opening setup of moves typically characterized by the setup in the diagram.

The opening can be reached by different routes (usually by 1.e4, 1.Nf3 or 1.g3). Often the KIA is reached via 1.e4 followed by d3, Nd2, Ngf3, g3, Bg2, and 0-0, an example being 1.e4 e6 2.d3 (this is possible against almost any opening move -- 1...c6, 1...c5, etc.) d5 3.Nd2 followed by Ngf3, etc. (see algebraic notation).

Since the KIA is a closed, strategic opening choice, many 1.e4 players prefer to play sharper, more open variations. When played after 1.e4, the KIA is most often used against the semi-open defences where Black responds asymmetrically to e4, such as the French Defence, Sicilian Defence, Caro-Kann Defence, etc. The KIA is less often played against 1.e4 e5, where most White players prefer to play more aggressive lines such as the Ruy Lopez.

The King's Indian attack is considered to be one of the most solid opening choices for White, but not very aggressive. It is similar to the King's Indian Defense with colors reversed. White's plan is usually to either push the d and e pawns up a rank as the game progresses in order to bind the opponent. If Black castles king-side, White often follows up with f4 and a king-side pawn storm, hiding his king at h1 if needed. If Black castles queen-side, White can move his knight to c4 and attack on the queen-side.

Here is perhaps the most famous example of the King's Indian Attack in action:

Fischer-Miagmasuren, Sousse Interzonal 1967 1.e4 e6 2.d3 d5 3.Nd2 Nf6 4.g3 c5 5.Bg2 Nc6 6.Ngf3 Be7 7.O-O O-O 8.e5 Nd7 9.Re1 b5 10.Nf1 b4 11.h4 a5 12.Bf4 a4 13.a3 bxa3 14.bxa3 Na5 15.Ne3 Ba6 16.Bh3 d4 17.Nf1 Nb6 18.Ng5 Nd5 19.Bd2 Bxg5 20.Bxg5 Qd7 21.Qh5 Rfc8 22.Nd2 Nc3 23.Bf6 Qe8 24.Ne4 g6 25.Qg5 Nxe4 26.Rxe4 c4 27.h5 cxd3 28.Rh4 Ra7 29.Bg2 dxc2 30.Qh6 Qf8 31.Qxh7+ 1-0

References

• Ken Smith, John Hall, Königsindischer Angriff – Ein komplettes Angriffsprogramm für Weiß, Verlag: Das Schacharchiv Kurt Rattmann, Hamburg 1990, Übers. Erich Siebenhaar
• Angus Dunnington, The Ultimate King’s Indian Attack, B.T.Batsford Ltd, London 1998, ISBN 0-7134-8222-2
• Ron Henley and Don Maddox, The ChessBase University BlueBook Guide To Winning With, The King’s Indian Attack, R&D Publishing, Box 133, A Division of 4M Data Systems Inc., Hagerstown, MD 21741, 1993, ISBN 1-883358-00-0
• Ron Henley and Paul Hodges, Power Play, The King’s Indian Attack, R&D Publishing, A Division of 4M Data Systems Inc., Hagerstown, MD21741, 1993, ISBN 1-883358-02-7
• Don Maddox, Königsindischer Angriff, Schach Training, ChessBase GmbH, Mexikoring 35, D-22297 Hamburg, 2002, ISBN 3-935602-51-0
• Eric Schiller, How To Play The Kings Indian Attack, Chess Enterprises, Moon Township, PA 15108-2607, 1989, ISBN 0-9311462-95-9
• Norman Weinstein, The King’s Indian Attack, Chess Digest Magazine, Dallas, März 1976
• John Hall, Jan R. Cartier, Modern King’s Indian Attack – A Complete System for White, Hays Publishing, Dallas Texas, 1996, ISBN 1-880673-11-8
• Angus Dunnington, How to Play - The King’s Indian Attack - Openings, B.T.Batsford Ltd, London 1993, ISBN 0-8050-2933-8
• Eric Tangborn, A Fischer Favorite: The King’s Indian Attack - with 46 fully annotated Games, International Chess Enterprises, 1992, ISBN 1-879479-07-9
• Heiko Eggers, Die Theorie der Eröffnung - Königsindischer Angriff - Das Spielsystem mit dem Aufbau Sf3/g3/d3/Lg2/0-0/Sbd2. BoD GmbH, Norderstedt 2005, ISBN 3-8334-3194-6

External links

• chess database
• Introduction to the King's Indian Attack