[quote]You will find players that mindlessly trot out 7...Nc6 to run into 8. d5 Ne7 9. Nd2 and white's doing well (he's achieved the more useful Be3 over 0-0 as in the 7. 0-0 Nc6 8. d5 Ne7 9. Nd2 variation). I've had two unprepared black players play this way in tournament play, one an 1800, one a 1900, so it's not unheard of.
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Magic for White of course! But I've noticed strong players playing in different ways as White here -- I'd be interested to know what's considered nastiest for Black (or maybe some lines have equal status?).

I don't know that 7...h6 was ever considered the strongest move, though it certainly made a splash back around the time Dr. Nunn was at his peak.  It seems to be considered "+=" these days.

Thanks. I've worked out why 8 d5 after 7 ...Nbd7 is not best. But is 8 de anodyne necessarily? (I was just maybe wanting something to play with a bit less study, that was all ...  )

Very interesting, BPaulsen -- your inspiring write-up has encouraged me to take a look at this.

What is your take on 7 ...Na6, when Golubev recommends transposition to E94 with 8 0-0? And how should White meet 7 ...Nbd7? -- 8 d5, or 8 de de 9 Nd2 perhaps? (I don't really want to run into trendy Dembo stuff, esp. as I might give this a punt as Black!)

@Templare 2:

Being a 1. Nf3 player I've had a lot of KID come my way in tournament play, so I've spent more time there than any other single black opening when it comes to preparation as white.

My recommendation would be for the Gligoric to a class player.

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. d4 0-0 6. Be2 e5 7. Be3.

You will find players that mindlessly trot out 7...Nc6 to run into 8. d5 Ne7 9. Nd2 and white's doing well (he's achieved the more useful Be3 over 0-0 as in the 7. 0-0 Nc6 8. d5 Ne7 9. Nd2 variation). I've had two unprepared black players play this way in tournament play, one an 1800, one a 1900, so it's not unheard of.

7...Ng4 is definitely the critical try, when 8. Bg5 f6 9. Bh4 g5 10. Bg3 Nh6 is the best line for black. 11. dxe5 is a relatively quiet try [11...dxe5 12. Qd5+ Kh8 (if 12...Nf7 then h4 ideas for white are powerful) 13. Qxd8 Rxd8 14. h4 g4 15. Nd2] that is interesting. 11. c5 has some surprise value, but is equal. 11. d5 is the main line, very easy to handle as white, and most importantly black doesn't get his typical kingside attack at all.

I had a game against a 2350 that saw black blunder with 9...Nh6 when 10. dxe5 is +-, which is one of the easier games I've ever won in tournament play. This illustrates that black can trip over himself quite easily, which makes it even more effective for the class player in tournament play.

The main line is 11. d5, when black can equalize but has to have considerable precision up to around move 18-20. Even in the equal variations black is the only one that has to exercise caution - white's entirely safe with zero positional defects.

Another upside to 7. Be3 is the line with exd4 is even easier for white to handle compared to 7. 0-0.

Krasenkow's system is just too nuanced for a lot of players to handle, especially in the 6...e5 7. d5 a5 line.

My rating is around 1900 points. In my next tournament ( in May) i'll play the B tournament (players rated from 1600 to 2000 points).

Tnx 

Thank you all! Your comments are really interesting.


BPaulsen wrote on 02/18/10 at 13:10:52:


Yes, I think You are right. But it is a difficult task to obtain a good position against a well prepared opponent in any openings.

I must learn the KID starting from zero, so do You suggest the above mentioned line or you can suggest others line ( like Krasenkow h3)?

Markovich wrote on 02/18/10 at 14:26:24:


Your hint is very wise but i’m a week player and i don’t think to be able to find for myself new ideas in a well analysed opening like the KID. I can try, of course.

Antillian wrote on 02/18/10 at 14:54:19:


I considered this system too and I agree with you that is a excellent pratical weapon. But in my opinion the Korchnoi variation is more forcing and the queen’s side attack more easy to understand..

I`m considering playing the Korchnoi Mar del Plata variation. What is considered the black antidote BPaulsen?