King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation, Gligoric-Taimanov System

A popular and aggressive chess opening, the King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation, Gligoric-Taimanov System, is characterized by a strong pawn center and active piece play for both sides.

The King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation, Gligoric-Taimanov System, is a dynamic and complex opening that has been played by many top-level players, including former World Champions Garry Kasparov and Anatoly Karpov. This opening is part of the larger King's Indian Defense family and is known for its rich middlegame possibilities and imbalances.

In this opening, Black aims to counter White's strong pawn center with a fianchettoed bishop on g7 and active piece play. White, on the other hand, tries to maintain their central pawn advantage and create threats on the kingside. The Gligoric-Taimanov System is characterized by the early development of White's dark-squared bishop to e3, which supports the d4 pawn and prepares for queenside expansion with moves like Qd2 and Rd1.

Black's typical plan in this opening is to strike at the center with moves like ...e5 or ...c5, while White often looks to expand on the queenside with moves like b4 and c5. Both sides have chances for active play and sharp tactical battles, making this opening a favorite among aggressive players.

The Gligoric-Taimanov System is named after two famous grandmasters, Svetozar Gligoric and Mark Taimanov, who contributed significantly to the development and popularization of this opening. It remains a popular choice at all levels of play, from amateur to professional, and offers rich strategic and tactical opportunities for both sides.