Chess Lesson # 87: King’s Indian Defense vs London System

[@NMRobertRamirez]

We finally have a strong and well organized opening course for White and one for Black. With these and the FREE beginner to master level playlist from this KZbin channel, it’s all about consistency over an extended period of time 😎💪 ⬇ Course on Black Opening (Counterblow) www.chessable.com/ramirez Course on White Opening (First Strike) www.chessable.com/firststrike Free Playlist (beginner to master level) rb.gy/hw61wt All the Endgame Knowledge I have rb.gy/zels9y All the Strategy Knowledge I have rb.gy/g1iqro

[@chessdoodle213]

ok sir

[@mapsgillnet6762]

I have learned so much from your channel. Thank you 🙏🙏🙏

[@VivanteMixes]

cant recommend this channel enough, every thought is explained well and shows the reasonings behind every move

[@dardiansyahoke7629]

Amazing lesson

[@RaymondBCrisp]

I've not played chess in years. I find after these lessons that I might want to pick it up again!

[@davidbourne4912]

Ive learned quite a bit about chess in the last two months. Mostly used Gothamchess, eric rosen, hanging pawns and maybe a few others. However, i've found your channel the most instructive of the lot. I've been focusing on the KID/Pirc as black and London/Vienna as white and my game has improved so much with your instruction. Thank you and keep them coming!

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Thanks a lot for your comment, David! It truly means a lot 👍

[@adamblomquist5581]

Re-watched this 11 months later. IT MAKES SO MUCH MORE SENSE NOW!! THANK YOU!

[@lynnnash9846]

I've been playing chess for 50 years and you are the best teacher ever, you explain everything so clearly and it all works,if only I had this kind of coaching back then. Excellent work Robert please keep it going . Tundish

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Thanks a lot for your kind words! Please, feel free to ask me any questions you might have 👍😎

[@_GkT_]

d4 Nf6 Bf4 g6 e3 Bg7 Nf3 0-0 : Be3 d6 0-0 Nbd7 c3 Re8 Nbd2 - 3:42 Be2 d6 0-0 Nbd7 c3 Re8 Nbd2/h3 - 8:27 If a4 then a6 (do a6 before e5 break)

[@droneaacharya7907]

Haven't come across any chess coach on youtube who teaches and explains reason behind every single move in so much detail...keep up the good work Rob...great work excellent!

[@NMRobertRamirez]

You got it! Thanks a lot for your kind words 👍😎

[@processmyrun6559]

Was looking for this, as many people play teh London system these days. Thanks a lot!

[@NMRobertRamirez]

You are welcome! Hope it works well for you 💪

[@nerius9]

Thanks

[@makayneilson7570]

This is the exact video I was looking for today. I was wondering if the king's Indian defense was a good idea against the London and this video delivered!

[@thomaskeller4905]

Thanks!

[@NMRobertRamirez]

You are more than welcome, Thomas! Thanks a lot for ll your support 👍💪😎

[@leopilgram6563]

My favourite chess teacher on youtube! Thanks a lot!

[@NMRobertRamirez]

You are welcome, Leo! 💪

[@cloudstotheresistance1910]

Great video! I've been taking Kamil Plichta's course on the KID, but he leaves out responses to the London. After studying this I feel much more confident playing against d4, you give so many good ideas and thematic moves. I appreciate the repetition too, it helps a lot when learning these lines. Thanks so much - your lessons are so good I might exclusively play KID/Pirc from now on!

[@NMRobertRamirez]

You are more than welcome! Happy to see you are finding value in these lessons. Please, let me know if you ever have any questions! 👍

[@pipingbertonel1958]

Theres a lot of tutorial but your way of tutorial is the very best,very ,clear and competent ..thankyou master

[@robhoffman510]

This series around the KID is one of the best I’ve seen. Thank-You!

[@acousticmeatus8141]

Dear sir, this is such wonderful content from, I really hope you're earning well enough from all this, I never skip ads when played, I watch it for as long as it needs to be, thank you so much for doing it for free

[@deepskywest3633]

Great work, as usual.

[@phozonn]

a6 all the way! Nicely explained all the reasoning for the moves, very helpful for remembering. Thanks :)

[@NMRobertRamirez]

You are welcome! Thanks for your feedback. It helps a lot 👍

[@norsage]

Perfect Presentation, love Robert's insight on chess..

[@ronvanliempd3274]

Another great video, really happy with the b6 and a6 ideas !

[@heronymousbot5883]

1:44 hello mr.Ramirez, do you have a response against early Qd2 in this position instead of e3? please let me know

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Hello! Anytime, I see an indication that they want to play aggressively against my king, I use what we learned in lesson # 70 👍

[@heronymousbot5883]

@@NMRobertRamirez thanks so much will watch it now! I am studying your videos religiously right now! I hope my watchtime, likes and comments help!

[@toivo7878]

Woaah I learned so much! Keep doing this great work!

[@anil-wn4er]

Iam playing london regularly... but I don't know how to play against london... Such a great coaching... thank you robert!

[@NMRobertRamirez]

You got it, Anil! 💪

[@amorty456]

I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE your repetition based teaching style.

[@prakasavigraha6104]

Great lesson Robert. Many thanks. It was clear, concise and you presented options. Loved it all.

[@bills10733]

Thanks Robert. Excellent content! I am an 1100 player, so I have a lot to learn. I like the Pirc/KID setup and am trying to learn it. This helps a lot. I play the London as white, so I recognize when it is used against me, and I find it the most difficult to oppose when I’m black.

[@NMRobertRamirez]

You are more than welcome! Thank you for your feedback. It means a lot!

[@evanhansen5064]

the main structural difference is that in the pirc the knight is on c3 locking in the c pawn for white

[@xx.xxxxxx.xxxxxx]

29:50. If they play A4 before H3, should you go for E5? Before doing bishop B7.

[@alexanderustinov7078]

Watching everyday 3 or 4 of your lessons and still hiped to keep on learning!!!!! Thank you for the course👏 Playing KID/Pirc with ELO 500 and everytime, everybody break into e5 before I get all the opening ready and nothing applies for me :D But still Fiachetto and the ideas I learnt from you Rob help me win. Let's see how long it takes me to get from 500 to 600...

[@carlosch2106]

I really like this lesson and his teaching style. The repetitions make the video longer, true, but I think they're perfect to remember the key moves later.

[@MrSupernova111]

Excellent lesson! I'm a die hard KID player and I have always wondered what is the best reply to the annoying Bf4 London. I believe black can also go for ...d5 instead of ...d6 but I think it depends of white's set up and it takes the game in a completely different direction. Thanks for the lesson! Cheers!

[@3D_Medusa]

Amazing! Thanks for this.

[@NMRobertRamirez]

You are welcome, Joel!

[@PassedPawn]

I was searching a good plan with kings indian against london system. I saw some video but no one was this much better as you taught. You are a awesome teacher and my dream coach in my journey to 2000 elo.

[@NMRobertRamirez]

So glad you found this plan useful! Please, let me know how it goes when you try it next and thanks a lot for your kind words as usual. It means a lot!

[@harpoon2445]

At 8:35, I don’t get get why the bishop fianchetto helps against the white queen when pushing e5? Can’t be just to make time hoping white plays Nd2 and block the queen?

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Hello! Here is the part where I explain that. Let me know if it makes sense now 👍 It is mainly about opening the a8 rook so that it recaptures on d8 and the e8 rook remains defending e5. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jHKVeqWlbKaeha8

[@harpoon2445]

@@NMRobertRamirez Ah, I see now. Thanks for spelling it out for me and the quick reply.

[@russellscott1151]

Excellent, just found this channel, will look at your other vids. Many thanks.

[@kriszed5329]

Nice video. I hope I'm not sounding too greedy, but any chance of a "Colle zuckertort" lesson? It featured briefly in one of your videos and you recommended it to me in a comment. I've tried it and it's really good- but I bet you've got some great tips. I often managed to get a knight on e5 playing it and black has a lot of trouble removing it. Two bishops aimed at the black king. Plenty of space to move the queen and even rook into for an attack.

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Hello Chris! We will definitely talk about the Colle at some point in the future. It is very interesting and I like it a lot. So, count on that lesson 👍

[@Jean-MichelHannoun]

Thanks again for a amazing video. I have 2 questions: 1) how about Qe8 instead of Re8 and 2)what if before castling, White plays h4 aiming for opposite castle and a pawn storm against the black castle? Jean-Michel

[@GreenHope42]

Great video Robert. Do you have a video for KID v Jobava London? When white plays d4 Bf4 Nc3 or d4 Nc3 Bf4.

[@joelbinag7759]

A combination of both. I like the surprised line that you showed.

[@tennesseeheckler3014]

Love the repetition approach in your videos! I only started learning a few months back, but was losing interest after being unable to follow what the chess heads were talking about in their videos. Always seemed like a bunch of nonsensical gibberish meant to show off how smart they are with no intention to actually teach something, despite the vids being "lessons". I feel I have made far more progress after only watching a few of your lessons; than I did with the 100 vids of others I watched before. You got a well deserved sub from me my friend. Thank you for reigniting my interest in this fantastic game. Happy Holidays!

[@guidogm]

rob your videos are amazing! I always come back for more lesson! keep it up !

[@Hippohappytt]

Very good! Easy to understand though the overwhelming information

[@mariogilligan841]

I prefer a6. I can see the difference between a master and an intermediate player like me; the master has a plan for all the game, instead only a few moves and basic knowledge for the intermediate. I have a better feeling now of what is ahead to the road of mastering if I ever get there. Thanks again!

[@FrankFeig]

Extremely helpful content, thanks a lot! You mentioned a second plan you execute but you'd come back to in a later video. Is that one out yet? And if so, what's the lesson number?

[@Mr354135]

Hi robert thanx for your effort i found this Channel recently and its became my textbook as a KID player i usually play Nfd7 e4 Nc6 Qd7 f4 ect against london but i kınnda feel this way is safer but many player doesnt break their pawn chain with our e4 move they just retreat the bishop then What should we do in the middle game

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Hello Yusuf! You are more than welcome. Thank you for your kind words. Regarding your question, the most important thing is to always keep an eye on the e4 square like I mentioned in the lesson. Whenever my opponent just retreats their bishop, I like to do e4 to gain more space and make their f3-knight retreat as well. After that, I might even play d5 and my central pawns make it really difficult for white de maneuver with their pieces. Even if they do c4, I continue with c6 to keep those pawns there. Sometimes, you can do exd4 instead of e4 and use the e4 square to place your f6 knight. Hope you like one of these 👍

[@Hassy171717]

Hey Coach! I don't know if you look back at old lessons but I'll ask here anyway! Lesson 58 is the opposite side castling London for White, which is something I see every now and again while playing our Pirc/KID. Do you have any info on how you like to play vs this type of London? In general I'm trying to use the c6 idea to allow our Queen out to the Queen side and expand prior to castling King side.

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Hello Jason! I typically use what we learned in lesson # 70 or lesson # 87 👍💪

[@Hassy171717]

@@NMRobertRamirez Thanks Rob, I'll rewatch those lessons to see where I can improve!

[@Hassy171717]

@@NMRobertRamirez Hey Coach Rob, I went over a bunch of idea's mainly looking at how to marry the 2 different ideas and how to wait for them to choose if they're going to Castle long or short and made up my own Lichess studies on them. I also looked into the Jobava (with the Kc3 move) since I know it's fairly popular.... and I've run into 1 issue and it's actually when they castle short! Just like in this video at 7:15 where our Kight on d7 is pinned, the antidote was to Fianchetto the light square bishop. I've found that if they're in a Jobava set up with Kc3 and Qd2, when we're ready to push e5, if they form a battery with Rfd1, that pin on our knight is present once again, and e5 leads to the same trouble seen at 7:15. Any other move than setting up that battery works just the same. At my level I think it'll be a fluke if an opponent knows to do Rd1, but thought I'd send the question your way.

[@philkalus5720]

Excellent instruction !!! If only I can lock it in memory banks !

[@flaschezweitausend9670]

Such quality content for free. Wow. Thanks alot !

[@NMRobertRamirez]

You are more than welcome! 💪

[@yairdvora871]

I love your videos! I love when you play live or show your games. Blitz 5+2 is fine with me as you have sufficient time to share your thoughts. Also I love the repetitions! 30 min video is not too long for me

[@minhdao-nn7ho]

Very informative, thank you my man

[@enriquevecerra4651]

Excelente clase,gracias NM Robert.

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Un placer, Enrique! 👍

[@lyand5821]

Nice video! Could you make a video playing the kings Indian defense against the 150 attack?

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Thank you! Feel free to check out lesson # 70 and let me know if that's what you mean 👍

[@suhaibsalem6735]

I watched this thing now in 2023 and I recommend this for all players this is something useful.. thank you for doing that amazing analysis ❤❤

[@kevinemmrich7154]

I thought that that Bd3 was the "thematic" move for white in setting up the London system structure. Is Be2 more popular here because it is against the King's Indian defense?

[@NMRobertRamirez]

You are totally right, Kevin. When facing the kingside fianchetto, white pieces prefer Be2 because on d3 the bishop could be subject to attacks such as e5 and e4. Besides, It is on a diagonal that is not that good anyways. So, e2 seems like a more reasonable square although it is not so ambitious.

[@chessforfunonly1586]

Great ideas, although i find your tendency to constantly play Bg3 instead of Bh2 striking. White played h3 for a reason, right?

[@Centurion-yw5ky]

Hi Robert Perhaps you could comment in a video on how to add text to the pgn when creating a study on lichess to highlight the alternatives, for example 'now need to decide on Roberts secret knight to a6 now or striking centre' Otherwise to me as a novice the pgn looks like a jumble of moves. Hope this makes sense!

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Hello! I think I know what you mean. Did you notice how when you record more than one variation and then go back to reproduce it, lichess shows both options highlighted at the bottom? Is that what you mean?

[@Centurion-yw5ky]

@@NMRobertRamirez Hi Robert, I have sent you an email with a photo of a Study example, which hopefully makes it clearer what I was asking regarding adding text. I probably did not express myself well!

[@NMRobertRamirez]

@@Centurion-yw5ky yes, I got it! Thanks for the e-mail. Try right clicking on the move you want to add text after, then choose "comment on this move". Please, let me know if it works 👍

[@Centurion-yw5ky]

@@NMRobertRamirez perfect, yes works. thanks Robert. This will help meLooking forward to the Fianchetto variation😁

[@ILLFLOWnyc]

Great job as always. You have become my favorite instructor.

[@aaaa-kq3px]

When can we expect the another plan you mentioned in 30:50? (:

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Probably between lesson # 95 and 100 👍

[@d_dave7200]

Would have liked to see the London variation with knight to c3 instead of pawn. I see that a lot.

[@robertehrenworth3310]

Also, white can defer both castling & c3, to get QN to c4, by a4, Na3-Nc4 because then it’s very difficult for black to get in e5 as white has 4 units guarding e5 (ie, d4, nf3, Bf4 & Nc4). Not critique but food for thought.

[@NMRobertRamirez]

👍😎

[@banzaiburger9589]

Robert, what are your thoughts on 5. Nfd7 (instead of Nbd7). I've seen this talked about as a way to get e5 in faster and aggressively go for f5 sooner. I mean as a specific counter to the London. Thanks! 💪

[@zenkruczkowski5904]

Robert, this is great! Thank you!

[@carlbinch898]

Thanks Robert. Sometimes playing white I throw the A pawn down the board. Now I know what black can do. Prefer a6. However is playing e4 kicking the knight. Going to block the diagonal for the b7 Bishop?.

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Good question, Carl! It does block it, but the benefits such as gaining space and having a clear route for our knight, etc justify it 👍

[@garygross3093]

Great lessons and videos. Really appreciate it!!

[@Charles-Windham]

I like a6 where I can push e5 - and when I play c5 then I control the b4 square. Of course, I haven't played this in a game yet :)

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Yes, I like that one too, Charles! Let me know how it goes when you try it in a game 👍

[@aniseedtwist]

hi robert, another smashing video,do you cover a black answer when white plays a torre or london system with an early e4 ie setup d4,Nf3, Bg5, Nbd2, c3, e4, it is an option for white to play the e pawn to e3 or e4 against black Bg7,d6 setups,i was wondering if it is just transferring to a pirc system that you may have covered,.....gareth

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Hello Gareth! We have not had a lesson dedicated to it, but I think we can use the same ideas from the Pirc to deal with it. Since White might go for a queenside castle, I would employ the c6 plan to be ready for a queenside expansion with b5 like we covered in lesson # 70 vs the 150 attack 👍

[@aniseedtwist]

@@NMRobertRamirez thanks for the reply robert, on a different note i was watching your video on guessing a move from a master game and gaining a point if you guessed correctly,have you seen this video on youtube kzbin.info/www/bejne/bovKiIZ5fd19fqs i use this myself

[@NMRobertRamirez]

@@aniseedtwist I had never seen it! Thank you for bringing it up. I have to check it out and share it with the rest of my students 🙌

[@smile007smart]

Great videos, simple explanations!

[@redbirdx4]

Hi Robert, I think your explanations are the best and I love your teaching style! I have a question in playing against the London. If they put the Bishop on c4 (Bc4), instead of on e2 or d3. What plans and lines do you recommend?

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Hello Pierre! In that case, I typically continue with similar ideas. I have even seen some plans with Qe8 in order to support the e5 break. That bishop on c4 many times ends up going back to d3 or e2 anyways 👍

[@redbirdx4]

@@NMRobertRamirez Thank you for your time, Robert 🙂

[@z51racer]

Wow. Can't wait to try this out.

[@vijyantmehrotra8119]

Coach today I played KID it seemed to be Byrne variation but it was new

[@cheemis6152]

Is Nh5 good to go after their dark squared bishop if they don't do h3 before they castle?

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Yes, it can be played sometimes. Especially if they have no way to avoid the trade 👍

[@muza3000]

Thank you, another great video! What is the idea behind 1. ... g6 instead of 1. ... Nf6 though? Thanks!

[@NMRobertRamirez]

You are welcome, Mathäus! The idea is that when we play 1...,Nf6, they can do 2.Bg5, which is not a big deal if you feel comfortable with it and know the theory, but I like to avoid it by developing the knight to f6 until I am ready to do Bg7 in case they do Bg5. Again -there is no need to do it, it is just me 😎

[@muza3000]

@@NMRobertRamirez Ah yes that makes sense, now we do not need to move the knight away or deform our setup if 3. Bxg7. Thanks a lot!

[@lucasspilleremoreti9348]

What a lesson!!! Congratulations!!

[@speederman9513]

Great content like always! I just have a quick question though. When people play the London against the kings Indian, some people like to castle queen side. Any thoughts on what to do after that?

[@Mr354135]

And please we expect four pawns averbakh symislov set up videos but i usually dont find a middle game plan in When they do simmetrical fianchetto set up

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Absolutely! We have to cover all of those little by little 👍

[@rik3nbaa179]

Thank u I never really understood why bishop e2 was always recommended by the assist tool when I verse a.is who did the kings Indian

[@bills10733]

Thanks Robert! Question: the KID and Pirc are so similar... how do you decide which to play? What are the key differences?

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Hello! Good question. I talked about this at the beginning of lesson # 85 in case you want to see the explanation on a board, but basically it has to do with white's first move. If they do 1.e4 and we use this set-up as Black, that is the Pirc. The same set-up vs 1.d4 is the King's Indian Defense. Hope this answers your question 👍

[@scubaron2293]

Good job, good teachers are hard to find these days.....!

[@TheVinylFactor]

Do you have any recommendations for when white castles long making a battery with the queen and the white bishop?

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Hello! You are probably talking about lesson # 86 or # 70 👍 Let me know 😎

[@anil-wn4er]

Hello robert ! I have two doubts, 1. After pawn e5..Bishop go to g5 what should I do? 2. White played c4 insted of c3 ??

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Good questions! If Bg5, I like to immediately insert h6 and most likely they will do Bh4. At that point I like to sometimes do e4 right away or g5 and after they move their bishop again, then I do e4. If they do c4 instead of c3, I continue with the same plan as when they do c3 👍

[@namlehai2737]

is c5 a plan for black in KID?

[@RaptureReady2025]

Another valuable lesson. I prefer a6. Many thanks. 💪🏼👍🏼👏👏👏

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Thank you, Mark, for your feedback 👍😎

[@leonquin3892]

Big thank you to you! I didn't know that after c4 you play e5, so that's actually super useful. Can't say enough that I appreciate you. :)

[@NMRobertRamirez]

You are more than welcome, Leon! Glad you liked it!

[@spartanthe300ththermopylae4]

"Always reply to an attack on a wing by striking at the centre". 🙂

[@banzaiburger9589]

Robert, if White tries the Jobava line, do you just transition to Pirc plans?

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Absolutely! 👍💪 Like we learned in lesson # 70

[@jankrzysztofrakowski5616]

Great video! Just preparing my KID before the chess league game 😅 playing in two hours

[@christoslazo2081]

i d like to see what you do against white bishop d3 instead of e2 and opposite side castling if white chose to castle the other way

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Hello! You will certainly see more in future lessons! 👍💪

[@markdavis3591]

Really enjoyed this tutorial 👍

[@amlyad2633]

I love all of them sir, as always awesome explain, and you are awesome:)

[@SanjuBaba-Chessmaster]

Great explanation learn a lot ❤❤❤❤ better than 90 percent of channels

[@133anfas8]

hey Rob! You shared with me the link of pirc study in Lichess. Would you also give me the link to KID study if you have it, please?

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Hello! The only one I have it for is KID vs Averbakh variation. Do I add you on that one?

[@133anfas8]

@@NMRobertRamirez yes please. It's anfas_salim. If any of your subscribers have done the study. I'd be happy to get that too.

[@wesnhisthoughts]

So against the London, the Hippirc works well! Thanks, great vid!

[@stephencindrich6787]

Great stuff! Thanks. I prefer ...a6.

[@jammalamadakasivasubramany208]

At 4:4 when bishop attack the pawn and king is exposed kc2 is coming and qb7 I lost many times sir

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Hello Jammalamadaka! What do you mean exactly?

[@shilohk38]

At 12min. I had to hit the like button. Everything is explained well. Thank you!

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Thank you! 🙌👍

[@Golden-Ace1]

Great course, thank you

[@juaresbarbosa3833]

Great video! I lost to a london today pushing e5 too early. Not anymore

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Thank you, Juarés! Let me know how it goes next time 👍

[@belue2429]

Great lesson!!

[@12anshdesai5c2]

Can you make a video on this same thing but with white doing an opposite side castling attack?

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Hello! Yes, we covered it on lesson # 86. If it's not that one, then it's the one from video # 70 👍

[@12anshdesai5c2]

ya thanks @@NMRobertRamirez

[@xaviserra2227]

Great lesson

[@smar1k359]

Can't really thank you enough for these videos!

[@NMRobertRamirez]

👍😎

[@chilakashalemraju3668]

Really great. Thank you