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  3. /King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation, Classical System, Benko Attack (E99)
E99

King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation, Classical System, Benko Attack

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.

Top Players in this Opening

Gelfand, Boris11 gamesSo,W9 gamesShirov, Alexei9 gamesNajdorf, Miguel8 gamesRadjabov,T8 gamesKasparov, Gary7 gamesNakamura,Hi5 gamesPortisch, Lajos5 gamesLarsen, Bent5 gamesGeller, Efim P4 games

Related Openings

E90 - King's Indian Defense: Larsen Variation393E91 - King's Indian Defense: Kazakh Variation323E92 - King's Indian Defense: Exchange Variation532E93 - King's Indian Defense: Petrosian Variation, Keres Defense45E94 - King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation674E95 - King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation85E96 - King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation, Positional Defense, Main Line39E97 - King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation, Modern System587E98 - King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation, Classical System125

Best Games

So,W vs Grischuk,A1/2-1/2
Saint Louis Blitz 2018 2018Notable
So,W vs Nakamura,Hi0-1
3rd Sinquefield Cup 2015 2015Notable
Giri,A vs Nakamura,Hi0-1
54th Reggio Emilia 2011Notable
Khalifman,A vs Inarkiev,E1/2-1/2
WCC 2005Notable
Khalifman,A vs Inarkiev,E1/2-1/2
WCC 2005Notable
Gelfand, Boris vs Kasparov, Gary1/2-1/2
Reggio Emilia9192 1992Notable
Khalifman, Alexander vs Gelfand, Boris1/2-1/2
Reggio Emilia9192 1992Notable
Gelfand, Boris vs Kasparov, Gary1/2-1/2
Linares 1990Notable
So,W vs Duda,J1-0
chess.com Speed 1m+1spm 2018 2018
So,W vs Grischuk,A0-1
GCT Blitz Paris 2018 2018
So,W vs Grischuk,A1-0
GCT Blitz Paris 2017 2017
So,W vs Van Wely,L1-0
76th Tata Steel Masters 2014
Aronian,L vs Nakamura,Hi1-0
7th World Team Championship 2010
Shirov,A vs Radjabov,T1/2-1/2
AZE vs World Rapid 2009
Eljanov,P vs Radjabov,T0-1
FIDE Grand Prix 2008
Nakamura,Hi vs Radjabov,T0-1
Trophee CCAS GpB 2008
Ivanchuk,V vs Radjabov,T0-1
FIDE GP 2002
Piket, Jeroen vs Kasparov, Gary1/2-1/2
Linares 14th 1997
Gelfand, Boris vs Topalov, Veselin0-1
Amsterdam VSB 1996
Jussupow, Artur vs Kasparov, Gary1/2-1/2
Yerevan ol (Men) 1996

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