King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation, Classical System, Kozul Gambit (E98)

The Orthodox Variation, Classical System, Kozul Gambit is a variation of the King's Indian Defense, catalogued as ECO E98. The line runs 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. Ne1 Nd7 10. Be3 f5 11. f3 f4 12. Bf2 g5 13. Rc1 Ng6 14. c5, reaching the position shown below after 27 half-moves.

Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d5 and e4, Black on e5), and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at four minor pieces each. It is Black to move after 14 moves. Both kings have castled kingside, so play tends to shift to the centre and the opposite flank.

On the King's Indian Defense generally: A hypermodern defense where Black allows White to build a big center, then counterattacks it.

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King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation, Classical System, Kozul Gambit — position after c5 a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
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. Ne1 Nd7 10. Be3 f5 11. f3 f4 12. Bf2 g5 13. Rc1 Ng6 14. c5

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1d4Nf6
2c4g6
3Nc3Bg7
4e4d6
5Nf3O-O
6Be2e5
7O-ONc6
8d5Ne7
9Ne1Nd7
10Be3f5
11f3f4
12Bf2g5
13Rc1Ng6
14c5

ECO: E98

Stockfish: +0.09 at depth 18

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Position characteristics

Related King's Indian Defense lines

Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Orthodox Variation, Classical System, Kozul Gambit?

The Orthodox Variation, Classical System, Kozul Gambit goes 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. Ne1 Nd7 10. Be3 f5 11. f3 f4 12. Bf2 g5 13. Rc1 Ng6 14. c5. It is a variation of the King's Indian Defense and is catalogued as ECO E98.

What is the ECO code for the Orthodox Variation, Classical System, Kozul Gambit?

The Orthodox Variation, Classical System, Kozul Gambit is ECO E98. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the King's Indian Defense.

Is the Orthodox Variation, Classical System, Kozul Gambit good for White?

Stockfish evaluates the 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. Ne1 Nd7 10. Be3 f5 11. f3 f4 12. Bf2 g5 13. Rc1 Ng6 14. c5 at +0.09 at depth 18, which is balanced. Engine evaluation is only a starting point — at club level the practical value of a line is mostly about whether you know its plans better than your opponent does.

What kind of position does the Orthodox Variation, Classical System, Kozul Gambit lead to?

Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d5 and e4, Black on e5), and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at four minor pieces each. It is Black to move. Both kings have castled kingside, so play tends to shift to the centre and the opposite flank.