King's Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation – Double Fianchetto
King's Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Double Fianchetto
Definition
The Double Fianchetto line of the Sämisch Variation in the King’s Indian Defense (ECO E81-E83) blends two strategic concepts:
• the classical Sämisch pawn wedge d4–c4–e4–f3, which claims space and clamps the dark squares;
• the hyper-modern idea of fianchettoing both bishops to g2 and b2, exerting long-range pressure on the centre and queenside.
The resulting positions are less sharp than the “main-line” Sämisch with Bg5, yet they remain strategically rich and highly topical in grand-master practice.
Typical Move Order
One of several common sequences is:
- 1. d4 Nf6
- 2. c4 g6
- 3. Nc3 Bg7
- 4. e4 d6
- 5. f3 O-O
- 6. Be3 c6 (…c5 is also popular)
- 7. Qd2 a6
- 8. g3 b5
- 9. Bg2 Bb7
- 10. b3 and Bg2–b2 completes the double fianchetto.
Strategic Aims & Ideas
- For White
- Control e5 and d5 with pawns & pieces; prepare e4-e5 at the right moment.
- Use the bishops on g2 and b2 to restrain the queenside and central breaks …c5 and …e5.
- Launch a minority attack with cxb5/a4, or seize the initiative in the centre with d5/e5 breaks.
- For Black
- Typical KID plan …e5 followed by …exd4, trying to keep the position closed for a later kingside pawn storm.
- Queenside space grab with …b4 to harass the c3-knight and open the a- and c-files.
- Target the e4-pawn (now less protected because the f1-bishop is on g2) and exploit the a7–g1 diagonal with …Qb6 or …Qb8–a7.
Historical Notes
• The original Sämisch (5.f3) dates back to the 1930s, but the double fianchetto idea appeared only in the late 1970s.
• Early adopters included English grandmasters John Nunn and Jonathan Speelman, who sought a positional answer to the razor-sharp main lines.
• Vladimir Kramnik, Peter Svidler, Ding Liren and Anish Giri have all used the system at elite level, demonstrating that it can both neutralise Black’s attack and play for a win.
Model Game
The following miniature (White eventually won after 15 moves when Black’s queen was trapped) shows several recurring themes: early …b5-bxc4 by Black, the knights jumping to d5/e7, and White’s flexible piece play exploiting the long diagonals.
Highlights:
- 10…bxc4 is a standard attempt to damage White’s queenside, but it also opens the long a8–h1 diagonal for the bishop on g2.
- The manoeuvre Nc3–d5–e7+ illustrates a frequent knight hop that exploits the dark-square grip provided by the pawn chain.
- After 15.Bxd2 Black resigned: his queen is gone, his kingside is drafty, and White’s bishops dominate the board.
Typical Motifs to Remember
- Minority Attack: c4-cxb5 followed by a2-a4 undermines Black’s queenside expansion.
- Central Break e4-e5: Often timed to coincide with pressure on d6; if Black captures, d4-d5 can slam the centre shut in White’s favour.
- Knight Manoeuvres: g1-h3-f2-d3 or e2-c1-d3 aim at e5/c5; Black replies with …Nf6–e8–c7–e6 in many lines.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- Soviet analysts once dubbed the setup the “Sämisch Hedgehog” because White’s pieces lurk behind a spiky pawn chain waiting to spring.
- Computer engines initially underestimated the line, giving Black comfortable equality; deeper searches, however, uncovered long-term structural pressure favouring White, renewing its popularity in the 2010s.
- Because both bishops are already on long diagonals, White can sometimes leave the king in the centre or even castle queenside if required, a flexibility lacking in many other KID systems.
Further Study
- Key ECO codes: E81-E83.
- Recommended resources: Peter Svidler’s “King’s Indian for the Practical Player” video series; recent databases featuring games by Ding Liren and Anish Giri.
- Test yourself: compare the above themes with English Opening: Double Fianchetto structures—you will see many transferable ideas.