Mar del Plata Variation

King's Indian Defense

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 O-O 6.Be2 e5 7.O-O Nc6 8.d5 Ne7

The sharpest main line, where both sides race pawn storms on opposite wings.

Fun fact: The Bayonet Attack, 9.b4, one of White's main tries in this position, was introduced by Viktor Korchnoi in the 1970s. Source

Practice this line

The idea

After 7.O-O Nc6 8.d5 Ne7, the center is closed and the plans are set. White attacks on the queenside with the c4-c5 break, and Black attacks White's king with ...f5, ...f4 and ...g5. Both kings are on the kingside, but only Black's pawns are storming them.

It is a race, and the side whose attack arrives first usually wins.

Plans for White

Prepare c5 with Ne1 or Nd2, or play the Bayonet Attack, 9.b4, which supports c5 straight away. After c5 and cxd6, White aims for the c-file and the c7 square, often with a knight jumping to b5.

Defend the kingside with f3 and Kh1 or g4 ideas only as much as needed, and keep going on the queenside.

Plans for Black

Move the knight from f6 (to d7 or e8) so the f-pawn can advance, then play ...f5, ...f4 and ...g5-g4. The knight on e7 often goes to g6, and the pieces follow the pawns toward White's king.

Watch out for

For Black, stopping to defend the queenside. Every tempo spent there slows the attack, and the kingside attack is Black's whole reason for this line.

For White, ignoring the kingside completely. Black's pawns can arrive at g3 or g4 before White breaks through, so know when to stop and defend.