The Hungarian Attack, beginning with 5.Nge2, is a less explored system that can cause Black trouble if he isn’t familiar with White’s basic ideas. Typically White will try to generate an attack against Black’s castled king in this line, but this challenge demonstrates that White is also perfectly placed to fight for a positional advantage in the center and on the queenside.
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The starting position is usually reached after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nge2 c6. Black will now delay kingside castling for a while until he deems it to be safe. Meanwhile he will try to create some counter play in the center and on the queenside. Had Black castled kingside instead on move 5, White should proceed like in our featured game.

Developing the dark-squared bishop to g5 with 6.Bg5 is a reasonable idea and is often played a bit later in the Hungarian Attack. White could next proceed with our current plan and reach similar positions. We slightly prefer delaying this move until White has more control over some key squares on the kingside.

6.g3 is a fine idea if you plan to develop the f1-bishop to g2 next. After 6…0-0 7.Bg2 e5 8.0-0 or 6…a6 7.Bg2 Nbd7 8.0-0 0-0, White would reach the g3 system of the King’s Indian. This is a logical idea now with the knight on e2. But we have a different setup in mind for those two minor pieces.

6.f3 transposes to a Saemisch. This is perfectly fine, but does not lead to our desired Hungarian Attack. We want to leave the d1-h5 diagonal open for White’s pieces.

6.Ng3 moves this knight again and to a square where it has no good forward options at the present time. This may appear a bit awkward and to lose time. But Black has been unable to refute White’s unusual idea. Play often transposes into a Saemisch if White plays f2-f3 on this or the following move. For example 6.Bg5 a6 7.a4 a5 8.f3 Na6 was also in the spirit of the Saemisch in the game Rivas Pastor-Brunner (1992). 
White can also leave the kingside knight on e2 for a while and develop the f1-bishop to g2. After 6.g3 0-0 7.Bg2 e5 8.0-0 or 6…a6 7.Bg2 Nbd7 8.0-0 0-0, White would reach the g3 system of the King’s Indian with the kingside knight on e2.

role on this side of the board. This move is especially geared toward White’s plan of playing h2-h4-h5 later on. Black can also reach playable positions with either 6…a6 or 6…e5. 
Following 6…a6 7.a4 a5 8.Be2 0-0 9.0-0 e5, play was roughly even in Gulko-Benjamin (1991). The game Hort-Wahls (1991) instead saw 6…e5 7.d5 a6 8.Be2 0-0 9.h4, which is in the spirit of the Hungarian Attack. Black then tried to slow down White’s plans with 9…cxd5 10.cxd5 h5.
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Although the opening moves don’t suggest it, both sides usually end up castling on the kingside.

7.Be2 continues with piece development on the kingside. This moves gives White more control of the g4-square and also allows the g3-knight to retreat to f1 should Black attack it with …h5-h4 in the future. From f1, this knight often reaches good squares on d2 or e3. 
White could also slow down Black’s h5-pawn by advancing with 7.h4 himself. But this doesn’t present any problems to Black and doesn’t make much sense now that Black has already played 6…h5. After 6…h5, White must accept that his ordinary means to attack on the kingside will not work. Thus he often ends up castling kingside. Playing 7.h4 makes castling kingside later much riskier. Note that instead 7.e5?! is premature. After 7…dxe5 8.dxe5 Qxd1+ 9.Nxd1 Ng4 10.f4 g5!, Black was already better in Formanek-Van Wely (1992).

7…Nbd7 is the normal means to develop this queenside knight and gives Black more control of the e5-square. In the game Novikov-Van Wely (1992), Black instead prepared immediate counter play on the queenside with 7…a6. After 8.0-0 b5 9.e5?! dxe5 10.dxe5 Qxd1 11.Rxd1 Ng4 12.f4, Van Wely got to use the same idea from his above game against Formanek and played 12…g5.
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Black’s advanced h-pawn has made it a little more risky for Black to castle kingside later on.

Castling kingside with 8.0-0 completes kingside development and marks the end of the Hungarian Attack. We will see how White plays this line in a purely positional manner now that Black has stopped White’s kingside ambitions. Note that both 8.Bg5 and 8.Be3 were playable as well, but that 8.f4?! e5 is fine for Black.

8…a6 hopes to generate some activity with …b7-b5 on the queenside. This is a common idea once Black has played …c7-c6 in these kinds of positions. Note that White did not fear Black playing 8…h4, although the g3-knight would have to retreat to h1 then. But it would usually get back into play via f2 soon.
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If Black had advanced in the center with 8…e5, White should play 9.d5 or 9.Be3 instead of taking on e5.

Developing the dark-squared bishop to g5 with 9.Bg5 is a reasonable idea and is often played a bit later in this line. We slightly prefer increasing White’s options in the center and giving the g3-knight a new retreat square at the same time.

9.Re1 moves this rook to a somewhat better post. From e1 it can later give the e4-pawn more support and support a possible e4-e5 pawn advance. This move also gives the g3-knight the f1-square to retreat to. White’s best alternative is probably developing the dark-squared bishop to g5 instead. After 9…b5, White would then have to deal with the same issues as in our line.

9…b5 advances on the queenside and gives Black the option to push back the c3-knight with …b5-b4. Play could later transpose to our line if Black instead castled kingside on this move.
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The two armies are now making contact.

Playing 10.a4? now that Black’s b-pawn is already on b5 is not a good idea. After 10….b4 11.Na2 h4 12.Nf1 Nxe4 13.Nxb4, Black would have won a center pawn in exchange for his b-pawn.

10.cxb5 is a fine idea if you plan to meet 10…axb5 with 11.b4! and Bb2 to come. White would then have a space advantage on the queenside as well and stopped Black’s idea of advancing with …b5-b4 next. We slightly prefer a different means to discourage Black’s b5-pawn from going to b4 next.

10.a3 stops Black’s b5-pawn from reaching the b4-square. White could have also reached a nice position by playing 10.cxb5 axb5 11.b4 and Bb2 to follow. Note that 10.b4? right away would have allowed Black to create unpleasant pressure against b4, d4 and f2 following 10…bxc4 11.Bxc4 Qb6, e.g., 12.a3 Ng4! 
If White played a slow move such as 10.b3?, we can see that Black’s last move 9…b5 actually created the threat of winning White’s e4-pawn next. After 10…h4 11.Nf1 b4 12.Na4 Nxe4, White would have no compensation for the lost e-pawn.

Black finally castles kingside with 10…0-0. This is the safest option for Black’s king in spite of the advanced h-pawn. Clearly 10…bxc4? 11.Bxc4 would only help this bishop get on the powerful a2-g8 diagonal leading to Black’s monarch.
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It is usually difficult to foresee where one’s pieces will be ideally placed until the pawn structure in the center has become more defined.

11.b4 is a reasonable move if you intend to develop the c1-bishop next. One main advance of this move is that it doesn’t allow a Black knight to go to c5 later after Black plays ….e7-e5. However, Black seems to be able to get a reasonable position with 11…Nb6, e.g., 12.c5 Nc4. We prefer leaving the pawn structure on the queenside as it is for now.

The pawn exchange 11.cxb5 cxb5 tends to help Black as it gives him more room for his pieces. Black could reach a reasonable position on the queenside with moves such as …Nb6, …Bd7 and …Rc8 next.

11.d5?! advances the d-pawn before Black even tries to challenge your pawn center. This gives Black added options since now both the c5 and e5 squares have become available for Black’s pieces. After 11…cxd5 12.cxd5 Nb6! with ….Bd7 and …Rc8 to come, Black would stand very well.

11.Bg5 develops this bishop to an active square and tries to generate some pressure along the h4-d8 diagonal. This could become an issue should Black advance the e7-pawn with 11…e5 next. This move also takes away Black’s option to advance with …h5-h4. White could have also developed this bishop to e3, but our chosen line gives Black more things to worry about.

11…Nh7 attacks White’s bishop on g5, but moves this knight to a questionable square far from the action in the center. Moving the f6-knight to h7 is sometimes played in King’s Indians when Black can continue with …f7-f5. Playing that move under favorable circumstances in this line won’t be easy for Black. 
Instead 11…Bb7!? is almost certainly superior. Play could then continue with 12.Bf1, when e4-e5 becomes a big positional threat. But after 12…e5 13.dxe5 dxe5 14.Qd6 Qb8 15.Rad1 Re8 with the idea of Bf8 next, Black would stand well. Therefore White should probably try 12.Qd2 Re8 13.Bh6 Bh8 14.Rad1, and White should meet …e7-e5 in the same manner as in our line later on.
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Always keep in mind what the most important part of the board is.

12.Qd2?! protects the g5-bishop, but allows Black to gain the bishop pair with 12…Nxg5 13.Qxg5. Following 13…Bxd4 14.Nxh5 e5, Black would then have a clear advantage due to his more active minor pieces and his greater control in the center.

12.Be3 retreats the attacked bishop to a fine square where it supports White’s plans in the center. White could have developed this piece straight to e3 on the previous move. But Black’s knight is now on the inferior h7-square vs. the f6-post before.

12…Rb8?! tries to create some pressure on the b-file. This can become an issue once Black takes White’s c4-pawn with his b5-pawn. But this move does not go well together with Black’s follow up. Although it involves some risk, Black should consider generating some counter play on the kingside with 12…h4 13.Nf1 f5.
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White’s piece coordination can still be improved.

13.d5?! advances the d-pawn before Black even tries to challenge your pawn center. This gives Black added options since now both the c5 and e5 squares have become available for Black’s pieces. After 13…bxc4, Black would stand well following both 14.dxc6 Ne5 and 14.Bxc4? cxd5 15.Nxd5 Rxb2.

13.Rb1?! gives the b2-pawn protection, but leaves this rook in a fairly passive position. This rook often goes to a different square later on. Try to protect the b2-pawn while also improving your piece coordination.

13.b4 is a reasonable move that gains more space on the queenside and moves the b2-pawn out of potential trouble on b2. One main advance of this move is that it doesn’t allow a Black knight to go to c5 later after Black plays ….e7-e5. However, Black seems to be able to get a reasonable position with 13…Nb6, e.g., 14.c5 Nc4. We prefer leaving the pawn structure on the queenside as it is for now.

13.Qc2 gives the b2-pawn some needed protection. This is a reasonable move if you plan to continue with Rad1 next. Good, we slightly prefer a different square for the lady.

13.Qb3? moves the lady on the same file as Black’s b8-rook. This is much too risky. After 13…c5 14.dxc5 Nxc5, Black’s pieces are becoming very active.

13.Qd2 moves the queen to the best square where it works well together with the e3-bishop, connects White’s rooks and also gives the b2-pawn some needed support. If White ignored Black’s idea of taking on c4 next, White could quickly end up being down a pawn. For example, 13.Rc1 bxc4 14.Qd2 Nb6 15.Na2 Be6 would allow Black to hang on to his extra pawn. 
If White instead advances the b-pawn with 13.b4, Black seems to be able to get a reasonable position with 13…Nb6, e.g., 14.c5 Nc4. We prefer leaving the pawn structure on the queenside as it is for now.

13…e5 is Black’s typical counter strike in the center. This is Black’s most reliable means to gain counter play at this time. The sharper attempt to gain play on the kingside 13…h4 14.Nf1 f5 is better for White after 15.Bh6.
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Now all of your attention should be on the issues surrounding the pawn structure in the center.

14.d5 makes sure that Black’s e5-pawn cannot take on d4 next. This way Black’s g7-bishop will remain a passive piece and shut out of the action on the queenside. Black will be unable to stop White from opening some lines on the queenside next. We are now reaching more familiar pawn structures known from many other King’s Indians. 
The pawn exchange 14.dxe5?! dxe5 generally favors Black, because his pawn structure in the center is superior. This is because Black can ultimately try to get a piece, ideally a knight, to d4. Following 15.Qd6 Bb7 16.Rad1 Nhf6, White has some short-term pressure. But Black would soon be able to improve his position with moves such as …Re8 and …Bf8.

14…Nc5?! plays to win the exchange, but this is very risky. Black should probably try the more conventional 14…cxd5, when 15.Nxd5 can be met by 15…Nc5 with unclear play. The natural 15.cxd5 Nb6 16.b3 h4 17.Nf1 f5 gives Black chances for dynamic play on the kingside.
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A critical moment has arisen.

15.dxc6 allows Black to win an exchange next. But White will gain overwhelming compensation for it since most of his pieces will quickly spring to life. This is the refutation of Black’s incorrect plan. Instead 15.Bxc5?! dxc5 leads to a double edged position. After e.g., 16.Rad1 cxd5 17.cxd5, Black’s main task will be to activate his passive minor pieces on the kingside, make use of his bishop pair and his three against two pawn majority on the queenside. White would have a nice passed d-pawn, but it is not easy for him to improve his position. Note that a slower move like 15.Rad1 would allow Black to gain counter play with 15…cxd5 16.cxd5 h4 17.Nf1 f5. Black could also consider playing 16…Nb3 and 17…Nd4 in that line. 
After 15.dxc6, the game M.Gurevich-Van Wely (1992) continued with 15…Nb3 16.Qc2 Nxa1 17.Rxa1 bxc4. Following 18.Nd5, White’s position was overwhelming due to the strong knight on d5, the strong passed pawn on c6 and White’s nice bishop pair. Black side stepped the threat of 19.c7 next by moving his queen with 18…Qe8. Then 19.Bxc4 Be6 20.c7 Ra8 21.Rc1 gave White a crushing advantage. The c7-pawn will cost Black at least the exchange that he is currently ahead. In addition, Black has weak pawns on d6 and a6 and his pieces on f8, g7 and h7 are unable to help Black in the battle on the queenside. Black also doesn’t have any counter play whatsoever in the final position of this line. 
This observation brings about an important concept to remember. It is not always important that you are ahead in material that is off the board. It is important that you are ahead in material on the part of the board where the decisive action of the game is taken place. In this final position, White had 6 units that easily outplayed Black’s three defenders on the queenside and in the center. Objectively speaking we don’t think that the Hungarian Attack should give White an edge if Black plays correctly. The plan starting with 6…h5 is attractive although Black can also consider playing 6…a6 or 6…e5 right away. Van Wely’s trouble began with 11…Nh7?! and became bigger after 12…Rb8?! Finally 14…Nc5?! was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Instead 11…Bb7!? seems to be a better path for Black. If White doesn’t like the course of our featured game , he should take a closer look at playing 8.Bg5 or perhaps a different system of the King’s Indian like the Saemisch or the 6.g3 line.