Chess Openings

King's Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation

ECO E86 · King's Indian Defense · tactical · advanced

The King's Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation (E86) is a tactical chess opening in the King's Indian Defense family, played by Black. It arises after the moves 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3 O-O 6. Be3 e5 7. Nge2 c6. Pawn wall with f3. Queenside attack. Recommended for advanced players.

Moves: 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3 O-O 6. Be3 e5 7. Nge2 c6

About this opening

The Sämisch Variation (5.f3) is the most muscular answer to the King's Indian: White reinforces the e4-d4 center and prepares queenside expansion or long castling, opening the door to opposing pawn storms. Black hits back with ...e5, ...c5 or the ...b5 sacrifice. Friedrich Sämisch gave it his name; it is a closed, tense battle where the initiative swings from one side to the other.

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