Lecture by UMBC Chess Coach Igor Epshteyn
Closed positions in the King's Indian Defense are typically characterized with White pawns at c4, d5, e4, and with Black pawns at e5, d6, and sometimes c5. As with other positions with closed center, space is usually more important than time, and play focuses on the flanks.
In such positions, many players as Black will delay playing c5 until and unless they judge the resulting fully closed center as advantageous to them. Until such time, the Black c-pawn can stand at c7 or c6, leaving the c5 square open for a knight. Such players might judge the closed position advantageous if their pieces can cooperate to achieve position goals.
Since the central pawns block each other, and since the central squares are occupied by pawns, play on the flanks is crucial. In particular, Black typically strives for a breakthrough on the queenside with b7-5, or a breakthrough on the kingside with f7-5. Similarly, White typically strives for b2-4 and with invasion on the queenside, or possibly a kingside pawn storm with h2-4, g2-4. Often it is advantageous to pursue multiple goals, such as playing, or threatening to play, on either side.
In Game 1, White exploits a superiority in space. First, White open lines and invades on the queenside, deflecting some of Black's forces. As in last week's game, White opens a file on the queenside; but in today's game (as is typical in the King's Indian Defense as opposed to the Spanish), White exploits the b-file rather than the a-file. Next, following the principle of playing against two weaknesses, White maneuvers his pieces against Black's kingside. In this game interesting questions arise involving what pieces should be traded.
Questions:
In this position, Black missed the opportunity to play Rxe4. Analyze the variations resulting from this move.