Lifetime Repertoires: Edouard’s King’s Indian Attack by GM Romain Edouard

A World-Class 1.Nf3 Repertoire
by a Top Opening Theoretician

GM Romain Edouard returns to Chessable with his first Lifetime Repertoire. A former second to World Champion Veselin Topalov, GM Edouard’s credentials when it comes to opening theory are second to none!

The King’s Indian Attack (better known as the KIA) is a flexible system full of transpositions and move order tricks. It stands up well in its own right, but it can be even more dangerous when combined with a repertoire that contains the English, Reti or 1. d4 – making you unpredictable and dangerous to your opponents.

GM Edouard offers a variety of setups against Black’s various attempts, so you’ll be well-prepared and comfortable in many different positions.

Against King’s Indian Defense-style setups, you’ll grab the center with d4 and c4, setting you up nicely to transpose to a favorable Grünfeld.

Delaying Nc3 means you’re ready to kick the knight with e4 and force it to an uncomfortable square

Against Sicilian-style players, Romain suggests a Symmetrical English-style setup, where Black will have to navigate of minefield of positional and tactical challenges.

GM Edouard regards …d5 + …c5 as one of the best lines for black, so accuracy will be necessary. You’ll have to play energetically but that won’t be a problem after studying the lines he suggests.

The d4 pawn is our main target.

Of course, you’ll get full coverage of the various sidelines – for example against the “Dutch style”, you’ll have an additional option of playing KIA-style. Or you can just transpose to your favorite d4 line, it’ll be your choice.

There’s a ton of fun & quirky positions available from this flexible opening, and many ways to trick your opponent into reversed Grünfelds or even a reversed Benko – and since you’re White, you’ll have the advantage of an extra tempo!

Excellent in Theory and in Practice

GM Romain Edouard is a feared attacking player and former French Chess Champion, with a peak rating over 2700. It’s no coincidence that Veselin Topalov and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave both hired him as a second – two of the best attacking players of all time can’t be too wrong.

As a bonus (to himself!) for creating the course, Romain decided to try it out in over the board games and the results were impressive – 7 wins, 3 draws and zero losses against serious opposition, including a win over near-2700 Jules Moussard.