Hannah Eriksson: Level 72 Chess Rival (2226 ELO)

Rook tier · Attacking Maestro · plays the King's Indian Defense

How Hannah plays

Hannah plays every King's Indian as if the result depends on her kingside attack, and often it does. At 47 she has a strong feel for the moment to push ...f5, then ...f4 and ...g5, and for the piece sacrifice that breaks open a White king. Her book gives White the centre on purpose, because a big centre that closes with d5 is exactly what sets up the race she enjoys.

She is at her most dangerous when White is slow on the queenside and her pawns are already rolling. Positions without a target bother her: if White's king is well covered and there is no hook to attack, she has to switch to a long positional game she finds less exciting. Her commitment to the kingside can be total, which sometimes leaves her queenside thin. Hold the kingside with as few weaknesses as possible, and her attack can run out of fuel before your counterplay does.

At 2226 ELO, Hannah plays at master strength. Outright blunders are rare, so you need a sound opening, a clear plan and accurate calculation in sharp moments. A draw against her is a good result; a win means you played a very good game.

King's Indian Defense: the line Hannah plays

Hannah plays the King's Indian Defense: ...Nf6, ...g6, ...Bg7, ...d6 and castling, letting White build a big centre and then striking at it with ...e5. In the main Mar del Plata line the centre closes after d5 and both sides attack on opposite wings, Black with ...f5 on the kingside.

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.Nd3 f5

Learn it move by move: King's Indian Defense walkthrough

How to beat Hannah

  1. When she plays ...f5, consider f3 to hold e4 and keep the kingside closed. Exchanging on f5 too early can hand her pieces the e4 and f5 squares for the attack.
  2. Keep a defender ready for the ...f4 and ...g5 storm. A bishop on e3 that can drop to f2 and a rook on f1 make her ...g4 push much harder to execute.
  3. Avoid pawn moves like g3 or h3 in front of your castled king unless forced. They give her pawns a hook, and a hook is what turns a pawn storm into open lines.
  4. If the centre locks with d5, play on the queenside where you are stronger: b4, c5 and a rook to the c-file. Do it quickly, because their ...f5-f4 and ...g5 attack is aimed at your king. Against the KID, being a tempo slow is how White loses.
  5. The book answers 1.d4 (and the Modern move order 1...g6). Open 1.e4 and she is out of book immediately.

What beating Hannah teaches you

Hannah's games train defence against a pawn storm: keeping your king's pawn cover intact while your own counterplay arrives in time.

Neighbours on the ladder