The Classical System (or the Classical line in the Orthodox King’s Indian) is a very thematic variation of the King’s Indian Defense, and it almost always results in sharp, extremely interesting games.
For an introduction to the KID, watch this video on the basics:https://youtu.be/mND6TK5dSKQ
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As opposed to the last video, when we covered 9. b4, a straightforward attempt by white to start a queenside offensive as soon as possible, the topic of this video, the more patient Ne1 – the Classical System, calls for an even greater understanding of plans and thematic patterns for both black and white.
In the whole group of variations in the Classical KID (starting when white plays Nf3), the Classical System is what the opening is all about. High class maneuvering by black in order to defend all the weaknesses he creates on the queenside by starting a swift kingside attack.
The idea is simple for both players. Black wants to open the kingside up with f5, or close it following up by f4 to provide himself a target to aim at with the g pawn and the h pawn. The attacks which stem from that plan are often quick and deadly. White, on the other hand, is looking to create permanent queenside weakness in the meantime. While black plays f5, f4 and g5, white is quick to strike at black’s tender d6 pawn by playing c5, and trying to create easy targets for his pieces.
He will continue by pressuring the c7 square with his rook and his knight which is often able to jump into b5, and black is going to try and stop that with the thematic King’s Indian piece shuffling. The knights will move several times, most often ending on g6 and f6, the rook is going to lend support to c7 and the 7th rank and make room for the bishop to come to f8 and defend d6 by lifting itself to f7. It might seem strange and like it wastes time, but that is in face the most common way for black to stave off white’s attempt to crush him on the queenside.
The variation starts after:
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 9. Ne1, and black can choose between two options, 9…Nd7 and 9…Ne8. Nd7 is by far more common, and it leads to three different types of positions depending on which move white chooses. His best options are:
10. Be3
10. Nd3
10. f3 leads to anti King’s Indian positions because the plans almost go in reverse! White is the one attacking black’s king!
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