Answers.Body: <p>The ...f6 move is definitely a playable idea in many KIA positions, and it decreases your chances for building up a steady kingside attack. It also opens the f-file for Black's rook, and if you're not careful you could find yourself being attacked on the kingside. However, the drawbacks of ...f6 are that it weakens the e6-pawn, as well as the e5-square. So your plan would be to clamp down on e5, ensuring that the e6-pawn remains a weakness. If Black can get away with pushing ...e5, things won't be good for you.</p>
  <p>On that note, I like the c4 idea you suggested. This puts pressure on the d5-pawn, discouraging the e6-pawn from moving (as it would weaken the d5-pawn). Although after playing c4, I wouldn't advise immediately playing cxd5, as this will just relieve Black of his backwards pawn after ...exd5. Instead, it's better to just leave the pawn on c4, where it will continue to pressure the pawn chain. If Black slips up at some point, such that he is unable to recapture on d5 with ...exd5 (maybe some pin on the e-file), then you can go ahead with cxd5.</p>
  <p>If possible, develop your c1-bishop to f4, helping to watch the e5-square. Alternatively, the bishop could develop to b2 with the same purpose. Black could block the bishop with ...d4, but then this will give your d2-knight access to the c4-square, allowing it to control e5. So if you play Bb2, it's better not to play it in conjunction with pushing your pawn to c4. Note that ...d4 would also open up your g2-bishop on the h1-a8 diagonal.</p>
  <p>As mentioned earlier, Black might try attacking on the f-file. So h3 is a move you could consider, controlling g4 and stopping any ...Ng4 ideas. Although at the same time, h3 could be used by your light-squared bishop in order to attack the e6-pawn. The bishop would be a bit vulnerable here, and it being off g2 weakens the f3-knight, so maybe only play this move when you think it's definitely worth it to attack the e6-pawn further. Another option for attacking the e6-pawn is Ng5, although like Bh3 this isn't really a move that puts your piece in a long-term stable position. And if you play Ng5 prematurely, you weaken your control over the e5-square, potentially allowing Black to push ...e5. However, one idea to consider is moving the f3-knight, pushing your f-pawn to f4, and then retreating the knight to f3. This will leave you with additional control over the e5-square.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2021-04-15T00:49:33.013Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2021-04-15T00:49:33.013Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Inertial Ignorance
Body: <p>I have been studying the King's Indian Attack a bit recently, and have started reading through Neil McDonald's Move by Move book on it.</p>
  <p>Earlier today I played a game against a 2100 on Lichess (I am around 1700 rapid) and attempted to play the KIA against my opponent's e3 Sicilian. After the first few moves I pushed my e4 pawn to e5 like the McDonald book talks about and then my opponent played 10..f6, leaving no way for me to keep my pawn. I thought that if this were viable I must have messed up the move order and quickly resigned after losing my only central pawn. Checking it with the engine, it looks like a slight inaccuracy from my opponent, going from about a -0.5 evaluation to 0.5 in my favour. But why is this? How am I supposed to &quot;punish&quot; this decision?</p>
  <pre><code>[Event &quot;Rated Rapid game&quot;]
  [FEN &quot;&quot;]
  [Date &quot;2021.04.13&quot;]
  [Result &quot;0-1&quot;]
  [UTCDate &quot;2021.04.13&quot;]
  [UTCTime &quot;04:29:14&quot;]
  [WhiteRatingDiff &quot;-2&quot;]
  [BlackRatingDiff &quot;+1&quot;]
  [Variant &quot;Standard&quot;]
  [TimeControl &quot;300+8&quot;]
  [ECO &quot;B40&quot;]
  [Opening &quot;Sicilian Defense: French Variation&quot;]
  [Termination &quot;Normal&quot;]
  
  1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d3 d5 4. Nbd2 Nc6 5. g3 Nf6 6. Bg2 Be7 7. O-O O-O 8. e5 Nd7 9. Re1 Qc7 10. Qe2 f6 11. exf6 Nxf6 0-1
  </code></pre>
  <p>I looked in the database for similar games but at least in the masters' database I'm having difficulty finding the common theme in white's winning plan. From what I have seen, I'm thinking black's e6 pawn becomes a target now that it's sad and alone, and maybe if a c4 pawn break was built up, the c4-f7 diagonal to the king is dangerous? Would anyone with a better understanding of chess be able to tell me if this is correct or if there might be anything else wrong with ..f6?</p>
  
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2021-04-14T06:36:08.240Z
Comments.Text: b3 and second fianchetto?
Comments.UserDisplayName: Hagen von Eitzen
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2021-04-14T06:59:27.463Z
Comments.Text: The e5 square and e6 pawns are now pretty weak, so you should proceed with caution. This doesn't mean ...f6 was bad, but you need something to follow
Comments.UserDisplayName: David
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2021-04-14T07:13:05.943Z
Comments.Text: And follow quick! Assume he can play Bd6, e5, Bg4 and Rae8 in one move :-) (I looked a bit into the engine continuations, indeed b3, Bb2, and ...d4 is simply followed by c3 when the value goes up to 1.5, as Black simply lacks a move or two to play e5.
Comments.UserDisplayName: Hauke Reddmann
Tags: <pawn-structure><kings-indian-attack>
Title: Why is black playing ...f6 to attack the e5 pawn a bad move in the King's Indian Attack?
ThreadText: # Why is black playing ...f6 to attack the e5 pawn a bad move in the King's Indian Attack?
  
  (Asked by: username_0 on 2021-04-14)
  
  I have been studying the King's Indian Attack a bit recently, and have started reading through Neil McDonald's Move by Move book on it.
  
  Earlier today I played a game against a 2100 on Lichess (I am around 1700 rapid) and attempted to play the KIA against my opponent's e3 Sicilian. After the first few moves I pushed my e4 pawn to e5 like the McDonald book talks about and then my opponent played 10..f6, leaving no way for me to keep my pawn. I thought that if this were viable I must have messed up the move order and quickly resigned after losing my only central pawn. Checking it with the engine, it looks like a slight inaccuracy from my opponent, going from about a -0.5 evaluation to 0.5 in my favour. But why is this? How am I supposed to "punish" this decision?
  
  ```
  [Event "Rated Rapid game"]
  [FEN ""]
  [Date "2021.04.13"]
  [Result "0-1"]
  [UTCDate "2021.04.13"]
  [UTCTime "04:29:14"]
  [WhiteRatingDiff "-2"]
  [BlackRatingDiff "+1"]
  [Variant "Standard"]
  [TimeControl "300+8"]
  [ECO "B40"]
  [Opening "Sicilian Defense: French Variation"]
  [Termination "Normal"]
  
  1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d3 d5 4. Nbd2 Nc6 5. g3 Nf6 6. Bg2 Be7 7. O-O O-O 8. e5 Nd7 9. Re1 Qc7 10. Qe2 f6 11. exf6 Nxf6 0-1
  
  ```
  
  I looked in the database for similar games but at least in the masters' database I'm having difficulty finding the common theme in white's winning plan. From what I have seen, I'm thinking black's e6 pawn becomes a target now that it's sad and alone, and maybe if a c4 pawn break was built up, the c4-f7 diagonal to the king is dangerous? Would anyone with a better understanding of chess be able to tell me if this is correct or if there might be anything else wrong with ..f6?
  
  **Tags:** pawn-structure, kings-indian-attack
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_1**: b3 and second fianchetto?  
  > **username_2**: The e5 square and e6 pawns are now pretty weak, so you should proceed with caution. This doesn't mean ...f6 was bad, but you need something to follow  
  > **username_3**: And follow quick! Assume he can play Bd6, e5, Bg4 and Rae8 in one move :-) (I looked a bit into the engine continuations, indeed b3, Bb2, and ...d4 is simply followed by c3 when the value goes up to 1.5, as Black simply lacks a move or two to play e5.  
  
  ---
  
  ## 1 answers
  
  ### Answer by username_4 on 2021-04-15. Score: 3
  
  The ...f6 move is definitely a playable idea in many KIA positions, and it decreases your chances for building up a steady kingside attack. It also opens the f-file for Black's rook, and if you're not careful you could find yourself being attacked on the kingside. However, the drawbacks of ...f6 are that it weakens the e6-pawn, as well as the e5-square. So your plan would be to clamp down on e5, ensuring that the e6-pawn remains a weakness. If Black can get away with pushing ...e5, things won't be good for you.
  
  On that note, I like the c4 idea you suggested. This puts pressure on the d5-pawn, discouraging the e6-pawn from moving (as it would weaken the d5-pawn). Although after playing c4, I wouldn't advise immediately playing cxd5, as this will just relieve Black of his backwards pawn after ...exd5. Instead, it's better to just leave the pawn on c4, where it will continue to pressure the pawn chain. If Black slips up at some point, such that he is unable to recapture on d5 with ...exd5 (maybe some pin on the e-file), then you can go ahead with cxd5.
  
  If possible, develop your c1-bishop to f4, helping to watch the e5-square. Alternatively, the bishop could develop to b2 with the same purpose. Black could block the bishop with ...d4, but then this will give your d2-knight access to the c4-square, allowing it to control e5. So if you play Bb2, it's better not to play it in conjunction with pushing your pawn to c4. Note that ...d4 would also open up your g2-bishop on the h1-a8 diagonal.
  
  As mentioned earlier, Black might try attacking on the f-file. So h3 is a move you could consider, controlling g4 and stopping any ...Ng4 ideas. Although at the same time, h3 could be used by your light-squared bishop in order to attack the e6-pawn. The bishop would be a bit vulnerable here, and it being off g2 weakens the f3-knight, so maybe only play this move when you think it's definitely worth it to attack the e6-pawn further. Another option for attacking the e6-pawn is Ng5, although like Bh3 this isn't really a move that puts your piece in a long-term stable position. And if you play Ng5 prematurely, you weaken your control over the e5-square, potentially allowing Black to push ...e5. However, one idea to consider is moving the f3-knight, pushing your f-pawn to f4, and then retreating the knight to f3. This will leave you with additional control over the e5-square.
  
  
  ---
  
  