Petrosian Variation start
White closes the centre before the standard Mar del Plata route.
Example move sequence1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 O-O 6.Be2 e5 7.d5
King's Indian Petrosian Variation: Adviser, Diagrams and Replay Lab
The King's Indian Petrosian Variation uses an early d5 against the King's Indian: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 O-O 6.Be2 e5 7.d5. White closes the centre before the full Mar del Plata tabiya, while Black chooses between ...a5, ...Na6, ...Nbd7, ...Nh5 and timed ...f5 counterplay.
Petrosian Variation quick map
This is the early d5 anti-Classical branch of the King's Indian Defence.
- Core line:
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 O-O 6.Be2 e5 7.d5. - Black restraint:
7...a5. - Flexible routes:
...Na6 and ...Nbd7. - White plans:
Bg5, h3, Qc2, queenside expansion and restraint.
Petrosian Variation Adviser
Choose your side, branch, problem and study time. The adviser points to the diagram or replay group that best fits the early d5 structure.
Key King's Indian Petrosian diagrams
These python-chess checked diagrams use final-move arrows from each displayed sequence: 7.d5, 7...a5, Bg5/h6, ...Na6, ...Nbd7, Qc2/h3 and h3/Bg5.
7...a5 restraint
Black slows b4 and creates a more controlled queenside race.
Example move sequence1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 O-O 6.Be2 e5 7.d5 a5
Bg5 and ...h6
White provokes ...h6 and tests Black's kingside structure.
Example move sequence1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 O-O 6.Be2 e5 7.d5 a5 8.Bg5 h6 9.Bh4
...Na6 route
Black reroutes flexibly toward c5 or b4.
Example move sequence1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 O-O 6.Be2 e5 7.d5 Na6
...Nbd7 route
Black keeps central control and prepares flexible counterplay.
Example move sequence1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 O-O 6.Be2 e5 7.d5 Nbd7
Qc2 long-castle idea
White reinforces the centre and can prepare a sharper king route.
Example move sequence1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 O-O 6.Be2 e5 7.d5 Nbd7 8.Qc2 a5 9.h3
h3 against ...Nh5
White controls g4 before choosing the next expansion plan.
Example move sequence1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 O-O 6.Be2 e5 7.d5 a5 8.h3 Na6 9.Bg5
King's Indian Petrosian Replay Lab
The replay selector uses supplied Petrosian PGNs only, grouped by 7.d5 a5, Bg5/h6, ...Na6, ...Nbd7, Qc2 and transposed early-d5 structures.
Recommended first pass: Jussupow vs Kasparov for White's restraint, Bareev vs Kasparov for Black counterplay, and Vallejo Pons vs Radjabov for Qc2/long-castle ideas.
Petrosian Variation Branch Map
King's Indian Defence parent
This page is the early d5 Petrosian branch. Return to the King's Indian Defence page.
Classical comparison
If White castles before the full locked-centre race, compare the Classical Variation page.
Mar del Plata comparison
If the game reaches 7.O-O Nc6 8.d5 Ne7, compare the Mar del Plata page.
Other King's Indian systems
Compare Sämisch, Four Pawns Attack and Fianchetto Variation.
Study plan for White
- Learn the early d5 structure and the reason it avoids the standard Mar del Plata timing.
- Compare Bg5/h6, h3, Qc2 and queenside expansion setups.
- Use the Replay Lab to compare one White restraint win and one Black counterplay win.
Study plan for Black
- Choose a counterplay route: ...a5 restraint, ...Na6 flexibility, ...Nbd7 control or ...Nh5/...f5 kingside play.
- Do not allow White to close the centre and consolidate for free.
- Use the Adviser to match your plan to the Petrosian structure you actually reached.
King's Indian Petrosian Variation FAQ
King's Indian Petrosian Variation basics
What is the King's Indian Petrosian Variation?
The King's Indian Petrosian Variation is the early d5 system against the King's Indian Defence, normally after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 O-O 6.Be2 e5 7.d5. Use the Petrosian Variation start diagram.
What is the exact move order of the Petrosian Variation?
A standard move order is 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 O-O 6.Be2 e5 7.d5. Use the Petrosian Variation start diagram.
How is the Petrosian Variation different from the Mar del Plata?
In the Petrosian, White plays d5 before castling into the full 7.O-O Nc6 8.d5 Ne7 Mar del Plata tabiya. Use the Branch Map to compare both pages.
Why does White play 7.d5 early?
White plays 7.d5 early to close the centre, restrict Black's pieces and reduce some standard King's Indian attacking routes. Use the Petrosian Variation start diagram.
What is Black's main problem in the Petrosian Variation?
Black must create counterplay without the same easy Mar del Plata knight route, so timing ...a5, ...Na6, ...Nbd7, ...Nh5 and ...f5 matters. Use the Adviser.
What is White's main plan in the Petrosian Variation?
White often restrains Black, then expands on the queenside or prepares a controlled kingside/central plan. Use the Bg5 and ...h6 diagram.
Is the Petrosian Variation positional?
Yes, but it can become very sharp when Black uses ...f5, ...h5, ...Nh7 or ...Na6 counterplay. Use the Replay Lab.
Is the Petrosian Variation good for club players?
Yes, it gives White a clear structural plan against King's Indian players, but both sides still need to know the pawn breaks. Use the Adviser first.
Main structures and move orders
What is the 7...a5 Petrosian line?
After 7.d5, Black often plays 7...a5 to slow White's queenside expansion and prepare piece play around c5 or a6. Use the 7...a5 restraint diagram.
Why does Black play ...a5 so early?
...a5 restrains b4 and gives Black more time to organise kingside or central counterplay. Use the 7...a5 restraint diagram.
What is the Bg5 plan?
White plays Bg5 to provoke ...h6, influence f6 and h4, and make Black's kingside attack less automatic. Use the Bg5 and ...h6 diagram.
Why does Black answer Bg5 with ...h6?
...h6 asks the bishop to decide and can prepare ...g5 or ...Nh7 ideas, but it can also create hooks for White. Use the Bg5 and ...h6 diagram.
What is the ...Na6 route?
...Na6 gives Black a flexible knight path to c5 or b4 and supports queenside counterplay. Use the ...Na6 route diagram.
What is the ...Nbd7 route?
...Nbd7 keeps central control and prepares ...Nc5, ...a5, ...Nh5 or ...f5 depending on White's setup. Use the ...Nbd7 route diagram.
What is White's Qc2 idea?
Qc2 strengthens the centre and can prepare long castling or kingside expansion in some Petrosian structures. Use the Qc2 long-castle idea diagram.
What is White's h3 idea?
h3 controls g4 and prepares a calmer setup against ...Nh5 or ...Ng4 ideas. Use the h3 against ...Nh5 diagram.
Plans for White
How should White play the early d5 structure?
White should restrain Black first, then choose between queenside expansion, Bg5 pressure, h3 control, or Qc2/long-castle structures. Use the Adviser with side set to White.
Why does White often play Bg5?
Bg5 challenges Black's kingside setup and can make ...h6, ...g5 or ...Nh7 concessions appear. Use the Bg5 and ...h6 diagram.
Why does White play Nd2 in many Petrosian lines?
Nd2 supports c4-c5, reinforces e4 and prepares queenside play without allowing easy pressure on f3. Use the Replay Lab's a5/Bg5 groups.
When should White play b3 or a3?
White uses b3 and a3 to support queenside expansion and control b4/c4 squares before opening files. Use the Replay Lab.
When should White play f3?
White plays f3 to reinforce e4, stop ...f4 ideas and prepare a slower squeeze. Use the Adviser with problem set to structure.
When can White castle queenside?
White can castle queenside in some Qc2 and h3 structures when the centre is stable and Black's queenside counterplay is controlled. Use the Qc2 long-castle idea diagram.
What is White's biggest mistake?
White's biggest mistake is closing the centre and then playing too slowly while Black gets ...f5, ...f4 or ...g5 for free. Use the Replay Lab's Black-win groups.
How should White study the Petrosian?
Start with the early d5 diagram, add the ...a5 and Bg5 structures, then watch one White win and one Black win. Use the Adviser first.
Plans for Black
How should Black meet the Petrosian Variation?
Black should choose a coherent route: ...a5 restraint, ...Na6 flexibility, ...Nbd7 central control, or quick kingside play with ...Nh5 and ...f5. Use the Adviser with side set to Black.
Why is ...a5 important for Black?
...a5 prevents White from expanding easily with b4 and buys time for piece rerouting. Use the 7...a5 restraint diagram.
When should Black use ...Na6?
Black uses ...Na6 when the knight can head to c5 or b4 and support queenside play without blocking the c-pawn. Use the ...Na6 route diagram.
When should Black use ...Nbd7?
Black uses ...Nbd7 when central control and flexible piece regrouping matter more than immediate kingside force. Use the ...Nbd7 route diagram.
What is Black's ...Nh5 idea?
...Nh5 aims for f4 or g3 pressure and helps prepare ...f5 or kingside expansion. Use the h3 against ...Nh5 diagram.
What is Black's ...f5 break?
...f5 is the main King's Indian counterbreak, but in the Petrosian it must be timed carefully because White has already closed the centre. Use the Replay Lab.
What is Black's biggest mistake?
Black's biggest mistake is drifting after 7.d5 and letting White consolidate the bind without counterplay. Use the Adviser with problem set to attack.
How should Black study the Petrosian?
Black should study one ...a5 game, one ...Na6 game, one ...Nbd7 game and one successful kingside attack. Use the Replay Lab optgroups.
Replay Lab and model games
Which Petrosian replay should I watch first?
Start with Jussupow vs Kasparov to see the danger Black faces, then compare Bareev vs Kasparov for Black's counterplay. Use the Replay Lab selector.
Which replay shows 7.d5 a5 with Bg5?
Jussupow vs Kasparov, Illescas Cordoba vs Gelfand, Shirov vs Polgar, Kramnik vs Nunn and Nakamura vs Bacrot show Bg5/h6 Petrosian structures. Use the 7.d5 a5 with Bg5/h6 replay group.
Which replay shows Black succeeding with early ...a5 structures?
Bareev vs Kasparov, Shirov vs Polgar, Kramnik vs Kasparov in blitz and several later games show Black resources in ...a5 structures. Use the ...a5 replay groups.
Which replay shows ...Na6 systems?
Kramnik vs Kamsky, Gulko vs Georgiev, Piket vs Polgar, Vallejo Pons vs Morozevich and other supplied games show ...Na6 structures. Use the ...Na6 replay group.
Which replay shows ...Nbd7 systems?
Kramnik vs Kasparov, Speelman vs Topalov and Vallejo Pons vs Radjabov show ...Nbd7 systems. Use the ...Nbd7 replay groups.
Which replay shows Qc2 ideas?
Vallejo Pons vs Radjabov is a supplied model with Qc2 and long-castle themes. Use the Qc2 replay group.
Which replay is best for White players?
Jussupow vs Kasparov, Illescas Cordoba vs Gelfand, Kramnik vs Kasparov, Speelman vs Topalov, Vallejo Pons vs Radjabov, Nakamura vs Bacrot and Topalov vs Baklan are useful White models. Use the White-result replay groups.
Which replay is best for Black players?
Bareev vs Kasparov, Morovic Fernandez vs Kamsky, Shirov vs Polgar, Zvjaginsev vs Beliavsky, Piket vs Polgar, Kramnik vs Kasparov, Granda Zuniga vs Svidler and Zvjaginsev vs Polgar show Black resources. Use the Black-result replay groups.
Practical repertoire choices
Should White play the Petrosian Variation?
White should play it if they want to reduce some direct King's Indian attacking patterns while keeping a serious space advantage. Use the Adviser with side set to White.
Should Black fear the Petrosian Variation?
Black should respect it, not fear it. The right counterplay route gives Black active chances. Use the Adviser with side set to Black.
Is the Petrosian Variation easier than the Mar del Plata?
It can be easier structurally because White closes the centre early, but the plans are still concrete. Use the Branch Map to compare the Mar del Plata page.
Is the Petrosian Variation drawish?
No. Many Petrosian games become sharp because Black still attacks with ...f5, ...h5, ...Nh7, ...Na6 and piece sacrifices. Use the Replay Lab.
Is 7.d5 the only Petrosian move order?
No. Transpositions can arise from Nf3 or c4 move orders, but the key is early d5 against the King's Indian setup. Use the Petrosian Variation start diagram.
What should I study after this page?
After this page, study the Classical Variation parent, Mar del Plata, Sämisch, Four Pawns Attack and Fianchetto Variation pages. Use the Branch Map links.
How should I use this page for training?
Use one diagram to learn the structure, one Adviser recommendation to choose a plan, and one Replay Lab group to see the plan in action. Use the Adviser first.
What is the fastest way to learn the Petrosian?
Learn the early d5 structure, compare ...a5, ...Na6 and ...Nbd7, then replay one White win and one Black win. Use the Replay Lab selector.
Next step
Use this page as the dedicated Petrosian Variation lab. Start with the early d5 diagram, then compare ...a5, Bg5/h6, ...Na6, ...Nbd7, Qc2 and h3 in the Replay Lab.
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