King's Indian: Kramer Variation 6.Ng3
King’s Indian: Kramer Variation, 5 …O-O 6.Ng3
Definition
The Kramer Variation is a sideline of the King’s Indian Defence that arises after the moves 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 O-O 6.Ng3. With 6.Ng3 White voluntarily reroutes the king’s-knight from f3 to g3, aiming to bolster the e4-pawn, discourage …e5 breaks, and prepare an eventual f2–f4 or h2–h4 advance. The line is named after the German master Heinrich Kramer, who employed it in the mid-20th century.
Typical Move Order
A common sequence is:
- 1.d4 Nf6
- 2.c4 g6
- 3.Nc3 Bg7
- 4.e4 d6
- 5.Nf3 O-O
- 6.Ng3
From here the main continuations are 6…c5 (challenging the center immediately), 6…e5 (transposing to typical King’s Indian pawn structures), or 6…Na6 intending …e5 and …c6.
Strategic Ideas
- Reinforced e4-pawn: The knight on g3 keeps firm control over the f5 and e4 squares, making …e5 breaks less effective for Black.
- Kingside space: With the knight vacating f3, the pawn thrust f2–f4 can be prepared without blocking the knight. The move also discourages …Ng4 jumps aimed at e3 or f2.
- Flexible development: White can follow with Be2, Be3, or even h3 and Be3, depending on Black’s setup.
- Black’s counterplay: Black usually reacts with …c5 or …e5. After …c5 d5, the knight on g3 may later head to f5, exerting pressure on d6 and h6.
Historical Background
Heinrich Kramer explored the line in the late 1940s and early 1950s, introducing a fresh way to combat the classical King’s Indian structures. Although never as popular as the Sämisch or Classical lines, the Kramer Variation has served as a surprise weapon at master level. Notable modern adherents include Vassily Ivanchuk, Peter Svidler, and occasionally Magnus Carlsen in rapid and blitz events.
Illustrative Example
A model game is Ivanchuk – Gelfand, Linares 1995:
Ivanchuk’s 6.Ng3 steered the game into fresh territory, eventually seizing the initiative on the queenside while keeping the e4-pawn rock-solid.
Key Themes for Both Sides
- White
- Expand with f2–f4 or h2–h4.
- Plant a knight on f5 after d4–d5 c6 undermines.
- Avoid overextending; keep an eye on the c-file once Black plays …c5.
- Black
- Timely …c5 or …e5 is critical before White’s space edge becomes overwhelming.
- Exchange pieces to exploit the slightly awkward knight on g3 if White wastes tempi.
- Occasional pawn sacrifice …b5 (Benko-style) can generate queenside pressure.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- The variation appeared in one of the earliest “man vs. machine” exhibitions: Kramer – NI FerS, Hamburg 1951, where the computer (running on relay) failed to understand White’s grip on the center.
- Magnus Carlsen used 6.Ng3 in a blitz game vs. Hikaru Nakamura (Madrid 2020 online) and later quipped in the post-game interview: “It was either a pawn-storm or a siesta for the knight; luckily it woke up at f5 in time.”
- The English grandmaster Jonathan Rowson called the Kramer Variation “an anti-dogmatic wrinkle” in his book Chess for Zebras, praising its ability to sidestep heavy theory.
When to Choose the Kramer Variation
Opt for 6.Ng3 if you:
- want to keep theory light yet remain strategically sound,
- enjoy maneuvering battles over sharp theoretical slug-fests like the Four Pawns Attack,
- prefer to dictate the pace and restrict Black’s main breaks.
Further Study
Recommended resources include:
- The King’s Indian Defence by John Nunn – Chapter on “Rare 6th Moves.”
- Chessable course “KID Sidelines” by GM Daniel King.
- Database search for modern games by Ivanchuk, Svidler, and Rapport using 6.Ng3.