King's Indian Kramer Variation: 5...O-O 6.Ng3 e5 7.d5
King's Indian Defence: Kramer Variation
(1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.h3 O-O 6.Ng3 e5 7.d5)
Definition
The Kramer Variation is a sub-line of the King's Indian Defence (KID) that arises after the
seemingly modest pawn push 5.h3. The full tabiya is reached with the moves
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. h3 O-O 6. Ng3 e5 7. d5.
White prevents …Bg4, keeps open the option of f2–f4, and after 7.d5 fixes a broad pawn centre.
Black, true to King's Indian traditions, seeks counterplay with …f7-f5, piece pressure
on the dark squares, and later breaks with …c7-c6 or …b7-b5.
Move-Order & Key Position
The critical position after 7.d5 can be visualised as:
- White pawns: d5–e4–c4 forming a space-gaining chain; h3 creates luft and stops …Bg4.
- Black pieces: King castled, knight on f6, bishop on g7 eyeing the e5–d4 squares.
- The centre is closed; plans revolve around flank pawn breaks and piece manoeuvres.
Strategic Themes
- For White
- Maintain the space advantage and slowly expand with f2-f3, g2-g4, or b2-b4.
- Typical maneuvers include Nf3–h2–g4 (supporting f2-f3/f4) and Be3–d3.
- The h3 pawn controls g4 and gives the king a safe square on h2 in many lines.
- For Black
- Break with …c6 or …f5 to undermine White’s fixed centre.
- Piece pressure on the a1–h8 diagonal (…Bg7, …Nh5–f4 ideas).
- Queenside play with …a5–a4 and …b5 is common when White castles queenside.
Historical Significance
The line is named after the Czech-Dutch master Johannes Hendrikus (Han) Kramer, who employed 5.h3 against leading KID players in the 1930s–40s. While never the main theoretical battleground of the KID, it has served generations of players—Especially those who want to sidestep the very theoretical Mar del Plata and Classical Main Lines— as a practical surprise weapon.
Illustrative Games
-
Kramer vs. Kieninger, Munich 1942
A vintage example in which Kramer demonstrated the power of 7.d5 followed by Be3, Qd2, Nf3 h2 g4, culminating in a crushing kingside pawn storm. -
Radjabov vs. Van Wely, Wijk aan Zee 2004
Modern treatment: Black’s timely …c6 and …b5 generated queenside counterplay, showing that the variation remains a double-edged weapon at top level.
Practical Tips
- Against an early …c7-c6, White can consider dxc6 bxc6 followed by Nf3 and Be2, aiming at a structural edge.
- Do not hurry with f2-f4; preparation with Nf3–h2–g4 often yields a safer attack.
- If Black plays …h6, the square g6 becomes weaker; ideas like Be3, Qd2, and Bxh6 may appear in tactical variations.
Interesting Facts
- Because 5.h3 looks “slow,” the Kramer Variation was once dubbed the “half-tempo system,” yet statistical databases show White scoring slightly above 50 % across all rating ranges.
- World Champion Bobby Fischer experimented with 5.h3 in simultaneous exhibitions, praising its “healthy prophylactic character.”
- Engines initially downgrade 5.h3, but long PVs often swing back toward equality, mirroring the rich, maneuvering nature of closed King’s Indian positions.
Summary
The Kramer Variation with 5.h3 followed by 6.Ng3 and 7.d5 gives White a flexible, strategically complex alternative to the heavily-analysed main lines of the King's Indian Defence. Players who enjoy slow build-ups and prophylaxis against piece-pinning will find it a valuable addition to their repertoire, while Black must be prepared for deep manoeuvring and well-timed pawn breaks to obtain counterplay.