1.d4 — the closed and Indian games
King's Indian, Bayonet Attack
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.b4ECO E97
White's most direct answer to the Classical King's Indian: after the centre locks, 9.b4 (the 'bayonet') slams the queenside pawns forward to attack before Black's kingside storm arrives. It's the critical, theory-heavy race where both sides charge the wing where the enemy king lives.
Key ideas
- 9.b4 and c5 rip open the queenside fast, racing Black's …f5–f4 and …g5 kingside attack.
- Speed and accuracy are everything — it's a pure opposite-wing race with both kings under fire.
- White bets the queenside break lands first; Black bets on the mating attack.
Who it suits
Ambitious 1.d4 players who want the sharpest, most direct anti-King's-Indian main line.
Add it to your repertoire.
Drill the King's Indian, Bayonet Attack move by move against the board until it's second nature.
Open the trainer