King's Indian Defense (Benko System): Logical Lunge

Position after 11 g4

White wants to block the kingside entirely
so that play can only take place on the
queenside, where the pawn configuration
favors him. For instance, if Black plays
11 ... f4, then White will reply 12 h4,
meeting ... g5 by h5 and ... h5 by g5.
Similarly, 11 ... h5 is met by 12 g5.



If Black exchanges on e4 or g4 then his
attacking potential is minimized; his
defensive ability is also threatened by
g5, and, later, Bg4. The idea behind
g5 and Bg4 is to block in the g7 bishop
and exchange off the g4 one.
Nonetheless, 11 g4 is speculative. If Black
can avoid the blockade and open the position
up then White will have cause to regret the
early kingside exposure. A second concern
is that White's pieces tend to get tied down
to the defense of e4 and g4, consequently
impeding normal development.



For his part, Black intends to play 11 ... Nf6,
usually followed by ... c6. The goal is to open
up the position in an attempt to prove that White
is over-extended. Alternatively, he wants to aim
for 11 ... Kh8. This move aids 12 ... Ng8 and
13 ... Bh6. However, White may deter that goal
by Ng2 and h4, which is when the reserve plan of
... Ng8-f6 and ... Nc5 comes into play.
The c5 knight first needs to be secured by ... a5.
Nonetheless, despite this slight loss of time, the
resulting e4 pressure is awkward for White, who
also needs to defend g4. Please note, this plan
should only be used in response to Ng2, for
otherwise the knight on c5 can be eliminated
by Nd3.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE KING'S INDIAN DEFENSE

King's Indian Defense: Deflect and Declare!

King's Indian Defense: White Square Weakness?

King's Indian Defense (Classical Variation): Brawny Bishop

King's Indian Defense (Classical Variation): Sounds of Sound

King's Indian Defense (Yugoslav/Panno Variation): Pretty Passed Pawn

CHESS OPENINGS ON-DEMAND

King's Indian Defense Electronic Book (E-Book) Part I

King's Indian Defense Electronic Book (E-Book) Part II