King's Indian Saemisch: 5...O-O 6.Be3 Nbd7
King's Indian Defence: Sämisch Variation (5…O-O 6.Be3 Nbd7)
Definition
The line arises from the King’s Indian Defence after the moves 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3 O-O 6. Be3 Nbd7. It belongs to the Sämisch Variation, named after the German master Friedrich Sämisch (1896–1975), characterized by White’s early f2–f3 which fortifies the e4-pawn and threatens a broad pawn front with g4–h4 or e4–e5. The particular choice 6…Nbd7 is a restrained, highly flexible reply in which Black develops the queen’s knight to d7 rather than the more popular 6…c5 or 6…Nc6 (Panno). The knight supports …e5, eyes c5 and b6, and keeps the c-pawn free for later counterplay with …c6 or …c5.
Typical Move Order
A canonical sequence runs:
- 1. d4 Nf6
- 2. c4 g6
- 3. Nc3 Bg7
- 4. e4 d6
- 5. f3 O-O
- 6. Be3 Nbd7
- 7. Qd2 e5 (or 7…c6 → 8…a6 & …b5)
Position after 6…Nbd7: Black has completed king safety; both sides have declared their strategic intentions—White will often castle long and advance pawns on the kingside, while Black prepares breaks in the centre with …e5 or on the queenside with …c5/…b5.
Strategic Themes
-
White’s Plan
- Castle queenside (O-O-O) and launch g- and h-pawn storms.
- Occupy the centre with e4–e5, sometimes supported by f4.
- Exchange the dark-squared bishops with Bh6, weakening Black’s king.
-
Black’s Plan
- Flexibly delay the central break, choosing between …e5 and …c5/…b5 depending on White’s setup.
- Re-route the d7-knight to f8–e6 or c5, reinforcing key dark squares.
- Counter-attack on the queenside; if White castles long the a- and b-pawns spearhead play against the enemy king.
- Tension Management – Both sides keep pawn breaks in reserve. The one who times the break better often seizes the initiative.
Historical and Theoretical Significance
The 6…Nbd7 line came to prominence in the 1950s–60s thanks to Soviet specialists such as Efim Geller and later Leonid Stein. While less sharp than the immediate 6…c5, it appealed to players who preferred a maneuvering battle without committing their pawn structure too early. Many modern grandmasters—e.g., Peter Svidler and Teimour Radjabov—keep it in their repertoire as a surprise weapon because it often sidesteps the heaviest computer preparation in the more forcing 6…c5 branches.
Illustrative Game
Efim Geller – Vasily Smyslov, Moscow 1965 (simplified score):
[[Pgn| d4|Nf6|c4|g6|Nc3|Bg7|e4|d6|f3|O-O|Be3|Nbd7|Qd2|e5|d5|a5|g4|Nc5|h4|h5|gxh5|Nxh5|O-O-O|Bd7|Nge2|Kh7|Kc2|Qe7|Bg2|f5|Bg5|Qf7|exf5|Bxf5|+| ]]Smyslov’s restrained 6…Nbd7 allowed him to meet White’s pawn storm with timely piece play on the dark squares, culminating in pressure along the long diagonal and central files.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- In an Olympiad preparation session, Garry Kasparov reportedly advised his seconds: “If the computer screams for 6…c5, play 6…Nbd7 instead— it asks White more questions.” The comment highlights the line’s practical sting.
- During the Play Magnus app launch, Magnus Carlsen mischievously selected 6…Nbd7 in a blitz exhibition, steering the game into uncharted waters and winning in 22 moves—proof that even World Champions value surprise over absolute objectivity.
- According to the MegaDatabase 2023 statistics, after the sequence up to 6…Nbd7, Black scores a respectable 47 % despite the spatial disadvantage—on par with the main Panno line. [[Chart|Rating|Classical|1980-2023]]