Take The Fight To Black With King's Indian Bayonet Attack

One of the sternest tests of 1. d4 is the King’s Indian Defense. If White castles short, Black is likely to launch an aggressive attack on the kingside. There are many approaches that White can take to try to counter this opening. In this article we cover one of the best and most popular variations for White: the King’s Indian Bayonet Attack.

By reading this article, you will learn:

• Why the Bayonet Attack is a great choice for White to fight against the King’s Indian.
• Some of the most important middlegame ideas you need to know in this variation.
• How to continue your education in the King’s Indian Bayonet Attack.

Why Play The Bayonet Attack?

Every serious player who plays 1. d4 needs to have a way of fighting against the King’s Indian Defense.

Related: Improve your chess opening knowledge by checking out the best books on chess openings for advanced players.

The basic King’s Indian setup sees Black fianchetto their dark-squared bishop, as shown in the position below.

If Black continues with the main line of the King’s Indian Defense, then they will play …Nc6 next. White’s best way of fighting for an advantage is with d5. This pawn advance closes the center and also gains a tempo against Black’s knight. Black will then play …Ne7, and we reach the following position.

This exact position has been reached thousands of times in master-level play! Both sides have played eight moves, and now White has a vital decision to make.

The most popular move is 9. Ne1, with the idea of eventually re-routing the knight to d3 in order to support White’s key c5 advance. This is known as the “Classical Variation” and has been studied extremely extensively. The opening theory runs over 20 moves deep in some lines!

The second most played move for White is 9. b4 - the King’s Indian Bayonet Attack. While the Bayonet Attack is still theoretically demanding, it is relatively less-so than the Classical Variation.

The b4 advance that characterizes the Bayonet Attack has the same idea as the Classical Variation: to support the eventual c5 pawn break. This c5 move is essential for White when playing against the King’s Indian Defense. Black is going to play f5 and attack on the kingside. Therefore, White needs to start their own counterplay on the queenside.

With the battle lines now drawn, let us take a look at some of White’s most important further middlegame ideas in the King’s Indian Bayonet Attack.

Related: Why the chess middlegame can take you to the next level.

Thematic Ideas In The King’s Indian Bayonet Attack

Maneuvers Of The Kingside Knight

One feature of leaving the kingside knight on f3 (instead of shifting it over to the queenside via e1 and d3, as in the Classical Variation) is that it can come to g5 and eventually e6.

Take the following position, where Black has just played their thematic pawn advance …f5.

White now has the option of coming in with their knight to g5. This creates two threats that Black must deal with:

• Bxh5, which would win a pawn and ruin Black’s kingside pawn structure.
• Ne6, which forces Black to give up their important light-squared bishop in order to avoid losing the exchange.

This is very annoying for Black. They cannot afford to allow Bxh5, so must retreat their knight back with …Nf6. But once White’s knight occupies e6, …Bxe6 from Black is essentially forced. Black loses an important attacking piece for their kingside ambitions, while White’s queenside play can continue unabated.

A Well-Timed Nd5

This idea is related to the previous one.

In the below position, White has performed the Ng5 -> Ne6 maneuver mentioned previously. Black has captured the knight with their light-squared bishop, and after White recaptures dxe6, a White pawn is left on e6.

This pawn looks rather overextended and weak. It is very tempting for Black to attempt to capture it with …Qc1, intending … Qxe6 next. On the surface, this seems like an unstoppable threat. White does not have a good way to defend the e6 pawn directly.

However, White can meet this threat strongly with Nd5!

If Black were to now capture the pawn with …Qxe6?, then the White knight forks the Black queen and rook on a8 after Nxc7!

If, however, Black were to capture the knight (for example, with …Nexd5), then after White recaptures with a pawn, then suddenly the e6 pawn has a friendly pawn defending it. With a protected passed pawn in the heart of Black’s position, White has the far better game.

Targeting The Weak d6 Pawn

As mentioned already, c5 is a key pawn break that White must look to play in the King’s Indian Bayonet Attack.

Once c5 has been achieved, White should initiate a capture on d6, as in the below position.

Once Black recaptures, d6 becomes a weak pawn that White can target. White’s dark-squared bishop already attacks it. Nb5 increases the pressure.

Black has only one good way to add a defender to d6 - with the rather unnatural Ra6. But even here, Black will struggle to hold on to their d6 pawn in the long term. For example, White can play Nd2 -> Nc4 to bring the other knight over to the queenside.

Remember: every position is different. But armed with these ideas, you should have enough to begin playing the King’s Indian Bayonet Attack to a good level!

Related: Learn the King’s Indian Defense from Black’s perspective.

Getting Started With The Bayonet Attack

Like all openings, your ability to play the King’s Indian Bayonet Attack will come from a combination of studying the theory and from gaining practical experience. 

To further your education beyond this article, we have a couple more recommendations for you.

Online Course Recommendation

Renowned chess instructor GM Daniel King has put together a short, sharp video lesson of the King’s Indian Bayonet Attack, suitable for all levels.

In just 65 minutes, you will gain invaluable ideas for playing the Bayonet Attack - the same variation that has been used to defeat world-renowned King’s Indian experts John Nunn and Alexei Shirov. Click here to check it out!

How To Gain Experience In The Bayonet Attack

The King’s Indian Bayonet Attack begins on move nine. As such, it may be difficult to get enough experience with it through online blitz chess.

Instead, we recommend playing games against the computer. Of course, a chess computer at maximum strength will be unbeatable - but it will still show you how Black might play against the Bayonet Attack. Then, you can use the insights you glean from playing against the computer when it comes time to play against your fellow humans.

Related: Tips to improve your game using electronic chess games.

Summary: Is The King’s Indian Bayonet Attack Right For You?

The Bayonet Attack can be an excellent choice against the King’s Indian Defense if you:

• Like to fight fire with fire: When Black plays the King’s Indian Defense, it is usually because they are looking for a combative game. In the Bayonet Attack, White takes up the challenge. The game is bound to become an uncompromising dogfight. This should be the sort of style of chess that you enjoy.
• Can play on the entire chess board: There will be many critical decisions in the King’s Indian Bayonet Attack. You will need to decide when to continue pressing on the queenside and when to take countermeasures against Black’s kingside advances. There are often no easy answers. The player who is able to best calculate their way through all the complications will tend to win the game.
• Are happy to commit time to studying this opening: The King’s Indian Bayonet Attack rewards those players who put in the work. It is very helpful to know the opening theory before sitting down at the board. Familiarizing yourself with games played by elite chess masters will also greatly benefit your results.

Does that sound like a chess opening for White that you would like to use against the King’s Indian Defense?

If so, then try the Bayonet Attack today!

Frequently Asked Questions