King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation, Bayonet Attack, Sokolov's Line position 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.b4 Nh5 10.Re1. White: pawn on d5, pawn on b4, pawn on c4, pawn on e4, knight on c3, knight on f3, pawn on a2, bishop on e2, pawn on f2, pawn on g2, pawn on h2, rook on a1, bishop on c1, queen on d1, rook on e1, king on g1. Black: rook on a8, bishop on c8, queen on d8, rook on f8, king on g8, pawn on a7, pawn on b7, pawn on c7, knight on e7, pawn on f7, bishop on g7, pawn on h7, pawn on d6, pawn on g6, pawn on e5, knight on h5.
King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation, Bayonet Attack, Sokolov's Line is a chess opening that arises 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.b4 Nh5 10.Re1. It is classified E97 in the ECO system, and the position after these moves has black to move. The King's Indian Defense lets White build a large pawn centre unopposed, then attacks it from a fianchettoed setup. Black deliberately concedes space in the opening in order to strike back with e5 or c5 and generate a kingside attack that is often decisive.
Strategic character
The classic King's Indian is a race: White plays on the queenside where the space advantage is, Black pushes pawns at the white king on the other wing. Because both attacks proceed independently, the games are unusually sharp and rarely end in draws.
Who should play it
Attacking players who want unbalanced positions with Black and are willing to accept worse positions objectively for practical winning chances.
This line is a variation within the King's Indian Defense family. The strategic ideas above describe the family as a whole; this particular line reaches them by the move order 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.b4 Nh5 10.Re1.
Frequently asked questions
What is the King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation, Bayonet Attack, Sokolov's Line?
The King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation, Bayonet Attack, Sokolov's Line is a chess opening that arises 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.b4 Nh5 10.Re1. It is classified E97 in the ECO system. The King's Indian Defense lets White build a large pawn centre unopposed, then attacks it from a fianchettoed setup. Black deliberately concedes space in the opening in order to strike back with e5 or c5 and generate a kingside attack that is often decisive.
What are the moves of the King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation, Bayonet Attack, Sokolov's Line?
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.b4 Nh5 10.Re1. After these moves it is black to move.
Is the King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation, Bayonet Attack, Sokolov's Line good for beginners?
Attacking players who want unbalanced positions with Black and are willing to accept worse positions objectively for practical winning chances.