King's Indian: Saemisch, 5...e5
King’s Indian: Sämisch, 5...e5
Definition
The Sämisch, 5...e5, is a sharp branch of the King’s Indian Defence (KID) that arises after the moves 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3 e5. In the Sämisch system White fortifies the centre with the pawn chain e4–f3–d4, while Black challenges that centre immediately with the thematic pawn break …e7-e5 on move 5.
Typical Move Order
The two most common sequences are:
- 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3 e5
- 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3 O-O 6. Be3 e5
Both paths land in the same strategically rich positions; the first is considered the “pure” 5…e5 line, while the second delays the break by one move.
Strategic Themes
- Centre vs. Counter-centre: White’s f3-pawn buttresses the pawn on e4, aiming for a long-term space advantage; Black counters immediately with …e5, provoking central tension.
- Benoni-flavoured structures: After 6. d5 c6 7. Be3 cxd5 8. cxd5 O-O, the position can transform into a modern Benoni with colours reversed.
- Minor-piece battles: White often plays Nge2, Be3, Qd2, g4, and h4, seeking a kingside pawn storm; Black responds with …exd4, …c6, …a6, …Nbd7, and the thematic break …f5.
- King safety: Both sides usually castle opposite wings (White long, Black short), leading to mutual attacks.
Historical Notes
German master Friedrich Sämisch popularised the 5.f3 set-up in the 1920s as a direct weapon against hyper-modern systems. The immediate reply 5…e5 was tested by leading KID specialists such as Miguel Najdorf, Gennady Sosonko, and later by Garry Kasparov, who used it in several Olympiads. In the 21st century, Teimour Radjabov and Hikaru Nakamura have kept the line fashionable.
Illustrative Game
Bacrot – Radjabov, Wijk aan Zee 2005, showcases the dynamic potential for Black:
[[Pgn| d4|Nf6|c4|g6|Nc3|Bg7|e4|d6|f3|e5|d5|O-O|Bg5|h6|Be3|c6|Qd2|cxd5|cxd5|Kh7| Nge2|Nbd7|Nc1|Ng8|Be2|f5|exf5|gxf5|Nb3|a6|g4|b5|gxf5|Ndf6|Bd3|Ne7|O-O-O| b4|Ne4|Nxf5|Rhg1|Kh8|Kb1|Nxd5|cxd5|Nxe3|Qxe3|Bb7|Rxg7|Kxg7|Rg1+|Kh7|Nxd6| Qb6|Qxe5|Qxg1+|Nc1|Qe3|Qxe3|fxe3|Nxb7 |fen|r6k/1b1nb1p1/3pP2p/p2P1p2/1p6/4p3/2Q3BP/1K1N4|arrows|f8f5,g7g5|squares|f5]]Radjabov seized the initiative with …f5 and a queenside pawn roller, eventually converting after a complex middlegame.
Common Plans
- For White
- Advance d4-d5 to gain space and restrict Black’s minor pieces.
- Prepare g2-g4 and h2-h4 to open files against the Black king.
- Place the queen on d2 and castle long to accelerate the pawn storm.
- For Black
- Exchange on d4 (…exd4) to undermine White’s centre.
- Play …c6 and …a6, preparing …b5-b4 to distract White’s forces.
- Launch the typical break …f7-f5, often supported by …Nbd7-f6.
Typical Tactical Motifs
- Exchange sacrifice on f3: …Rxf3! can rip open White’s king if he castles short.
- e4-e5 breakthrough: White pushes the e-pawn when Black is unprepared, targeting g7 and f6.
- b4-b3 lever: Black’s queenside pawns march to create a passed pawn or distract White’s pieces from the kingside.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- In a 1991 training game, Garry Kasparov reportedly told his seconds that the 5…e5 line was “the purest test of the center in chess,” because both players commit to their plans from move 5.
- The first recorded 5…e5 game was Sämisch – Nimzowitsch, Copenhagen 1923; Nimzowitsch’s novelty surprised Sämisch, who nonetheless won after an imaginative queen sacrifice.
- Modern engines evaluate the initial position after 5…e5 as roughly equal (≈0.20), reflecting balanced chances despite Black’s early concession of space.