Who came up with the Indian defense? Old Indian Defense: Opening Review Indian Defense.
For Time magazine, world champion Viswanathan Anand recalled that chess originated in India, then penetrated into Persia and, finally, into Spain.
In the final paragraph, Anand writes: “... my own career has repeated the history of chess. I learned to play in India, then moved to Spain to make it easier for me to participate in European tournaments, and became the world champion in Iran for the first time. historical panorama ".
Anand's reasoning is interesting, but he does not mention that India is the birthplace of not only chess, but also the so-called "Indian defense", the second most important influence of this country on our game .
Vishy Anand ..
Most chess players have heard of Indian defenses, but the origin of the name is much less known... It was first mentioned at the end of the 19th century and popularized in the 1920s by Savely Tartakover, who divided in his popular book "Ultramodern chess game"(1924) openings starting with moves 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 to the "King's Indian Defense" (... d6 and ... g6) and the "King's Indian Defense" (... e6 and ... b6).
Over time, both gained immense popularity and are still used on the highest level.
Why are they called "Indian"? The answer to this question must be sought in the middle of the 19th century - in Calcutta, the capital of the Indian province of West Bengal. In 1850, most of India was ruled by the British East India Company, whose holdings would become British India only seven years later.
In 1850, Paul Morphy and Wilhelm Steinitz were not yet 15 years old, but John Cochrane, a Scottish lawyer born in 1798, had already published several famous books on chess and played on equal terms with the best chess players of their time (Staunton, Deschapel and Labourdonnais) , worked as a lawyer in Calcutta.
Most of his career is associated with India, also in the 1840s and 1850s he was president Kolkata Chess Club... (In those years, he invented the knight sacrifice in the Russian game, which is still called the "Cochrane Gambit" in his honor: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nxf7!?.)
Cochrane was upset that he had worthy rivals in the chess club, but one day the Indian gods sent him deliverance.
In 1848, Cochrane was introduced to the common village Brahmin Maheskandra Bannerjee. The story of his appearance at the Kolkata Chess Club is described in an (anonymous) letter published in The Chess Player "s Chronicle in 1851:
Until the beginning of this year, Maheskandra had never been more than twenty miles from his home village. He never played really strong opponents and barely even knew the European rules of chess.... For a long time without knowing defeat, he developed on his own and stubbornly became addicted to the erroneous style of playing the opening, from which he has not cured to this day.
Maheskandra appeared in Calcutta So: a member of the Chess Club was on a pilgrimage in the fall of 1848 and heard about the village Philidor and how he "never lost." The chess lover rejoiced at the opportunity to defeat the arrogant, but the Brahmin won the game. An embarrassed club player brought him to Calcutta and invited Mr. Cochrane to fight him. Maheskandra has never heard of Cochrane or Ruy Lopez, Philidore, Labourdonnais, McDonnell or Staunton!
(This letter also says that according to Indian chess rules, only the central pawns could move two squares from the starting position, and there was no capture rule on the passage).
John Cochrane.
Maheskandra immediately got the position of "assistant" in the chess club, and over the next years he played many games with Cochrane, gradually improving in the game. (Cochrane won more often). Cochrane recorded many of the games of Maheskandra and his compatriots, it is in them that we come across the first examples of "Indian defense".
V. Sergeent wrote in 1934:
European chess players (...) learned about the Indian defense against Maheskandra and other Indian chess players for whom fianchetto was a natural way of playing.
This natural technique has become key to the development of Indian defenses. Here is the earliest example of an Indian defense played by Maheskandra:
A year later, he refined his debut idea. Before you - the very first game played with the King's Indian Defense:
In the games of Cochrane and Maheskandra, the King's Indian Defense occurs dozens of times. While playing these games, I was amazed at how well Maheskandra understood the basic principles of the opening, which are still relevant today. Take a look at this position from a game played in 1855:
It is incredible that this position, which looks so natural and harmonious in a modern look, appeared on the board before Morphy and Steinitz had their first successes in chess... At the same time, it remains to be regretted that neither Morphy nor Steinitz had the opportunity to learn and master these concepts in their own chess development.
Maheskandra also used the future Grunfeld defense:
The Grunfeld Defense is perhaps the most famous example of a "hypermodern" opening. Hypermodernism emerged in the early 1920s and placed greater emphasis on impacting the center from afar, rather than occupying the center squares with pawns in the opening - this is how Maheskandra and other Indian chess players preferred to play in the 70s before.
(Maheskandra used similar setups in the first hand, starting the game with 1.Nf3, 2.g3, 3.Bg2, etc. This opening for White became popular only when Mikhail Chigorin he began to develop his royal elephant in this way in the last quarter of the 19th century. Later Richard Reti improved the idea by proposing to meet the reply 1 ... d5 with a sharp lunge 2.c4!)
Now let's move on to the debut, which bears the name of the strongest of all hypermodernists, Aron Nimzowicz... Yes, you guessed it: Nimzowitsch defense also used Maheskandra for the first time! This batch:
In the games of Maheskandra, the opening, now known as the Pirts-Ufimtsev Defense, also met several times: 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.f4 Bg7 5.Nf3 0-0... He was the first to experience and considered unprofitable transition to the endgame after 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 e5 !? 4.dxe5 dxe5 5.Qxd8 + Kxd8.
Finally, Maheskandra experienced another Nimzowitsch defense - the opening 1.e4 Nc6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 and then Qd7 and f7-f6. Now this way of playing the opening 1.e4 Nc6 is considered the most principled for Black.
And that is not all. Maheskandra's Indian teammate, a man known only by name Somakarana, first used the opening against Cochrane, which will become known as the Caro-Kann Defense:
The game was played 36 years before Horatio Caro used this opening (against von Bardeleben in Berlin in 1886).
The history of chess developed in such a way that the opening ideas of Indian chess players were not taken seriously by the leading chess players in the West until the hypermodernists entered the scene. But they may have continued to live in India. Mysterious Indian chess player World Sultan Khan(1905-1966), played in tournaments precisely during the heyday of hypermodernism (Sultan Khan was born in Punjab, on the territory of modern Pakistan). He showed that Indian concepts and tastes have not disappeared from the practice of Indian chess players.
Sultan Khan, who at first was not even familiar with the "Western" rules of chess, clearly preferred "Indian" constructions in the opening. As White, he often used 1.Nf3 and g2-g3, while as Black he preferred the Queen's Indian and the Nimzowitsch Defense. Over the years, he began to use other openings as well.
The Sultan Khan at the Hastings Tournament, 1930.
So, (ultra) -modern chess openings owe to Moheskander, Somacarna and their compatriots., who lived in the XIX century, not only by their names.
Vishy Anand has already secured a prominent place in the history of chess, but India's role is not limited to the fact that it became the ancestral home of this game.
Good day, dear friend!
Backfill question: what chess opening found reflection in the songs of Vladimir Vysotsky? You probably know the answer if you are in the slightest degree familiar with the work of Vladimir Semenovich. This is the King's Indian Defense.
“And he destroys my defense, the old Indian at the moment. It reminds me vaguely of the Indo-Pakistani incident ... "
Remember? The unlucky hero of this piece played a match with "Slate" and, in fright, played a classic opening - the King's Indian Defense.
Now let's digress from the poet's work and return to our chess "land".
What is this debut?
Old Indian Defense, one of the most popular and interesting, is obtained as follows:
Black does not prevent White from creating a pawn center, which he shamelessly uses in most variations.
main idea King's Indian Defense - attacking the pawn center with white pieces with the timely support of pawn counterattacks e7-e5, f7-f5, in some variants c7-c5... This is an asymmetric opening in which Black tries to implement his own counterplay plan.
An important role in the development of Black's counterplay is assigned to faketed bishop on g7. It is no coincidence that it is called "King's Indian" ... In many variations, White tries to exchange it for his dark-squared bishop, even at the cost of a couple of tempos.
Perhaps I will refrain from listing the names of outstanding chess players - supporters of the King's Indian and opponents for White, who played and is playing this opening in one color or another. For it is easier to list those who bypassed the "old woman".
Therefore, let's go directly to the opening:
Basic options
Four pawn variation
White wants to get the maximum advantage in space with the help of a super-powerful pawn center. The idea is clear and logical, but it takes time. Black can and should have time to develop his counterplay.
5 ... 0-0 6.Kf3
Today the most popular continuations for black 6 ... c5 and 6 ... Ka6.They most often lead to the positions of the Modern-Benoni opening, which we will consider in a separate article.
An example option:
With equal play. Ding Liren - Report , 2013
6 ... e5 The principal answer is the pawn sacrifice, which White most often rejects.
For example:
With a slight advantage for white
Zemisch system
5.f3
This move characterizes the Zemisch system, one of the most famous formations for White in the King's Indian.
White creates a powerful pawn fist in the center. In the future, they seek to develop the initiative or push pawns on the kingside g4 and h4-h5, or on the queen.
Black's play is typical of King's Indian: counterattacks e7-e5 or c7-c5 and sometimes b7-b5.
Consider 5 ... e5, 5…0-0 , 5 ... c6
5 ... e5
Black counterblows e5 before castling, trying to save the pace.
With a sharp game with mutual chances.
With mutual chances. Sanguinetti - Fisher ... 1959
5…0-0
Black has not decided on a plan yet.
6.Ce3
Programmed move in the Zemisz system.
Consider Black 6 ... Nbd7 and 6… Kc6... It is also possible 6 ... e5 with the ideas of the previous version.
6 ... Nbd7
Black prepares a counterattack c7-c5 and trying to expand the range of the King's Indian elephant g7.
With roughly equal play. Vitiugov - Mamedov , 2013
6… Kc6
Black takes aim at d4 while preparing a flanking operation.
For example:
With approximate equality. Spassky-Nezhmetdinov .1969.
Classic system
White creates an extended pawn center and immediately develops the kingside pieces. White's plan is active actions in the center and on the queenside.
6 ... e5 The most logical continuation.
7.0-0 The most important thing.
The most popular moves for black in this position 7 ... Nbd7 and 7 ... Kc6
7 ... Nbd7
An example option:
White has a slight advantage. Knaak - Mecking, 1975
7 ... Kc6
The most modern interpretation of the variation for Black.
With roughly equal play. Taimanov - Simagin , 1961
Fianchetto
With the help of the flank development of the bishop, White increases the pressure on the center and the queenside and covers his king.
5.Nf3 0-06.0-0
So far, everything is logical and there is no need for special comments, as I believe.
The most popular black plans: 6 ... .Kbd7 and 6 ... Kc6
6 ... Kbd7
7.Kc3 The most frequent continuation. White reserves a move e2-e4
White has some advantage.
6 ... Kc6
So-called modern version ... Black organizes an immediate piece pressure on the center and only then complements it with pawn strikes.
7.X3 Most common white response
With roughly equal play.
Brief summary
We have briefly reviewed the most popular King's Indian defense systems.
I would say this: if you like an active, dynamic game and know how to attack the king, the King's Indian Defense is a very reasonable choice for Black.
The most typical attacking scenario: with a fixed pawn center c4-d5-e4 for whites and d6-e5 for black, - promotion f7-f5-f4 then pawn advance g and h, transferring pieces to the kingside and ramming with pawns g and h white king's position.
A typical example of such an attack is a game So - Nakamura see section sample games
White's chances are on the queenside - pawn attack with and b, opening lines and penetrating the opponent's camp with pieces.
Shortly speaking, the game is on on a collision course, which promises an interesting and meaningful struggle with mutual chances.
Common mistakes and pitfalls
And white is just right to give up. They positioned their pieces extremely unsuccessfully, contrary to the rules of playing the King's Indian for White.
Black wins the exchange. Here's the King's Indian elephant in action.
The next game is interesting, in which White sacrificed his queen and carried out a decisive attack:
Zakharchenko - Ulanovsky , 2009
Black surrendered
Sample games
Carlsen-Grischuk, Dubai, 2014, 1:0
So - Nakamura, St. Louis, 2015 0:1
Nikolic - Kasparov , New York, 1994 0:1
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Old Indian Defense remains one of the main weapons against 1.d4, when playing to win. This popular defense has had its ups and downs throughout modern practice. This opening was very popular in the 50s, thanks to such players as Bronstein, Geller, Gligorich, whose games gave a great impetus to the development of the theory of the Old Indian Defense.
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 0-0 6.Be2 e5 7.0-0 Nc6 8.d5 Ne7
Later, celebrities such as Mikhail Tal and Bobby Fischer brought further fame to this debut. However, the highest peak of popularity for the Old Indian Defense came when Garry Kasparov began to use it for Black, having won a fair amount of amazing victories against the TOP Grandmasters of the world at that time.
Several unforgettable games of Garry Kasparov in this opening should be remembered, especially this remarkable victory against the Dutch GM Piket Jeroen:
Kasparov played 20 ... g3 !, sacrificed his rook and later won in 8 moves.
The list of opponents defeated by Garry Kasparov in this variation is extensive, including A Shirov, Kamsky, Gelfand, Ljubojevic and Korchnoi. However, a few years later, Kasparov began to experience some difficulties against Vladimir Kramnik and his favorite variation 9.b4, later he abandoned this variation. Of course, it is difficult to say that this decision was made only for theoretical reasons. Apparently, there was also a question of changing the repertoire. Since then, Old Indian Defense has rarely been found at the highest level. If we consider modern Grandmasters, then only Rajabov Teymur and Nakamura Hikaru use it from time to time with good results.
In this article, we'll take a look at some great games in this variation and give you some insight into the game plan. We will focus on the position that occurs after 8 ... Ne7, where White has several moves, but we will look at the basic answer 9. Ne1.
Black's attacking plan:
After moves:
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 0-0 6.Be2 e5 7.0-0 Nc6 8.d5 Ne7 9.Ne1, Black continues 9 ... Nd7 To prepare f7-f5. 10.Be3 White attacks on the queenside, advancing his Queen's pawns to open the line with the move c4-c5. 10 ... f5 11.f3 f4 12.Bf2 g5
In the next position, both sides have clear goals: White "destroys" Black's queenside, attacking it with pieces and pawns, while Black tries to do the same on the opposite side, where White has a king.
In this variation, Black has a standard plan: Ng6 - Nf6 - Rf7 - Bf8... It is important to know this idea because it is often used, not only after 9. Ne1... V next game we can appreciate how Black managed to coordinate his forces and achieve a splendid victory. Let's take a look at the game between two famous legends:
Next, we will consider a slightly different plan, but very aggressive - transferring the rook to the file \ "\" h \ "\" using a maneuver Rf6 - Rh6- and then Qe8-Qh5... This direct attack can be very effective, and practice has shown that White needs to be careful. This plan was seen in the following games:
As we can see from the games shown here, the Mar del Plata variation of the Old Indian Defense leads to a fierce battle with mutual odds. Those who like to take risks and are always fighting for victory, avoiding draw positions, can consider the Old Indian Defense as a reliable weapon.
difficulty: ★ ★
If you are looking for a simple but effective way to play for black in response to any move of white except 1.e4, then you should definitely pay attention to King's Indian Defense... This opening is obtained after the moves 1.d4 Kf6 2.c4 g6 3.Kc3 Cg7 4.e4 d6... See diagram:
Black gives up the center, avoiding immediate contact, but expects to counterattack with c5 or e5 breaks later. White has many ways to develop. Let's highlight the main ones.
1) Attack of four pawns
5.f4
Looks formidable. White wants to sweep the opponent off the board with his pawn avalanche. But not everything is so sad for blacks. After a rough version 5. ... 0-0 6.Kf3 c5 7.d5(In case of 7.dc Qa5! Black captures on c5 with a queen with active play, since White does not have time to capture on d6 because of the threat of N: e4) e6 8.Ce2 ed 9.ed Cg4 10.0-0 Kbd7 11.h3 C: f3 12.C: f3 Re8 Black has a comfortable development, while White's pawns are not going further yet.
2) Zemisch system
5.f3
White's main idea is to play Be3, Qd2, 0-0-0 and then carry out the typical castling in all-rounds: Bh6, h4, g4, h5, etc. Black has a wide range of reciprocal plans. After castling, you can play Nc6 or c6, a6, b5, or prepare to undermine c5. And the oldest, proven method is this: 5. ... 0-0 6.Cе3 е5 7.d5 Kh5 8.Qd2 f5 etc.
3) Classical system
5. Kf3
White makes a reasonable developmental move. Then the game usually goes like this: 5. ... 0-0 6. Ce2 e5 7. 0-0(If White takes on e5 twice, then after K: e4 Black regains a pawn - this trick works in many variations of the King's Indian Defense.) Nc6 8.d5 Ke7.
This variation is one of the most popular and principled in the King's Indian Defense for both colors. The main plans of the parties are as follows.
White will try to use his spatial advantage on the queenside, undermining Black with b4 and c5. Knight f3 goes through d2 to c4 (after c5) or through e1 to d3. The bishop goes to a3 or e3. At some point, White can take on d6 and attack a weak pawn, as well as try to invade along the c-file.
Black's plan is to take the f6 knight to h5, e8 or d7, play f5 and return the knight to f6. After White has secured the center with f3, Black plays f4 and carries out a pawn assault on White's castling: g5, h5, g4, etc. This movement of pawns away from their own king is not so dangerous with the center closed. In this variation, black often gives up his queenside to be torn apart, betting only on a desperate attack. The strategy is risky, but it often works.
4) The Averbach system
White's idea is that in the case of black's standard play to break e5, the knight on f6 will be pinned and it will not be easy to carry out f5. But there are other plans, for example: 5. ... 0-0 6. Qd2 c5 7.d5 e6 8.Cd3 ed 9.cd Kbd7 etc.
5) System 5.h3
Flexible move. It is useful to cover the g4-square from knight swoops in order to develop the bishop on e3. Or sometimes White is not averse to playing g2-g4 in order to prevent f5 from undermining. The basic plan for Black is standard for the King's Indian Defense - e7-e5 after castling.
6) Fianchetto system
1.d4 Kf6 2.c4 g6 3.Kc3 Cg7 4.g3
Calm positional system. The reciprocal fianchetto more reliably protects the castling position and makes Black's pawn offensive on the kingside less attractive. Possible development of further events: 4. ... 0-0 5.Bg2 d6 6.Kf3 Kbd7 7. 0-0 e5 8.e4 c6 9.h3 R8 10.Be3 ed 11.K: d4 Kc5 12.Qc2 a5- White has a little more space, but Black's position is very strong.
A huge plus of the King's Indian Defense is that it can be played on any first move of White except e4. There is no need to learn separately how to react to 1.d4, the English opening (1.c4), Reti's opening (1.Kf3), etc. You simply fianchet your bishop and then counterattack the center in one way or another, depending on which formation White chooses. As a result, asymmetrical combat positions are obtained, in which it is easier for Black to play to win than in more "correct" openings, such as. But, of course, nothing is free. The center is the center, and a strong opponent can overwhelm, without giving the opportunity to unfold Black's counterplay. Nevertheless, the King's Indian Defense remains a very popular opening at all levels, including the grandmaster.