The King's Indian Attack (Barcza System) arises after 1.Nf3 d5 2.g3. ECO code: A07.

History

The Barcza System is named after Gedeon Barcza (1911–1986), a Hungarian grandmaster who was a pioneering practitioner of this setup. It represents one of the most important independent systems within the Réti Opening complex.

Main Lines

The typical development plan runs: 1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 e6 (or 3...g6) 4.0-0 Be7 (or 4...Bg7) 5.d3 0-0 6.Nbd2. White builds up the King's Indian Attack formation and prepares the central break e4.

Strategic Themes & Plans

White's plan is to exert pressure on the centre and kingside through the fianchettoed bishop on g2, the e4 advance, and potential kingside expansion with f4 or h4. The system is remarkably flexible and can be employed against virtually any Black setup. Bobby Fischer used the King's Indian Attack with great success, particularly against the French Defence and Sicilian Defence move orders.