King's Indian: Saemisch Orthodox 7.d5 c6 8.Qd2 cxd5
King's Indian: Sämisch, Orthodox, 7.d5 c6 8.Qd2 cxd5
Definition
This opening line arises from the King’s Indian Defence (KID), Sämisch Variation, in which White fortifies the centre with the pawn move 5.f3. The “Orthodox” subset begins after Black castles and strikes back with …e5. The specific branch covered here is reached by the moves:
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.f3 O-O 6.Nge2 e5 7.d5 c6 8.Qd2 cxd5.
After 8…cxd5 Black exchanges a central pawn to undermine White’s broad pawn centre, hoping to generate counter-play on the dark squares and along the semi-open c- and e- files.
Move Order & Position (Visual Aid)
The following PGN shows the basic eight-move skeleton. Load it in a board viewer to visualise the position:
Strategic Themes
- White’s central clamp – The pawns on d5, e4 and f3 restrict Black’s minor pieces and lay the groundwork for a kingside expansion with g4, h4 and Bh6.
- Black’s counter-blow …c6 & …cxd5 – By attacking the d5-pawn, Black hopes to free the c7-square for a knight, open the c-file for a rook and gain pressure against White’s centre before the kingside storm arrives.
- Dark-square battle – After the exchange on d5, the e5-pawn is often left isolated but cramping; control of the dark squares (e5, d4, c5) becomes critical.
- Piece placement – Typical manoeuvres include …Nb8–d7–c5 or …Na6; White often reroutes Ng1–e2–c1–d3 to reinforce e5.
Plans for Each Side
-
White
- Launch a pawn storm on the kingside with g4–h4–h5.
- Place a bishop on h6 to trade Black’s key g7-bishop.
- Occupy the e4–f3–d5 fortress and prepare for f4 or g5 breaks.
-
Black
- Pressure the d5-pawn via …Nbd7, …a6 & …b5 or …Nc5.
- Counterattack on the queenside with …b5–b4 or …a6–b5.
- Exploit the semi-open c-file with …Rc8 and tactical shots on c4.
Historical Notes
The Sämisch Variation is named after German grandmaster Friedrich Sämisch (1896–1975), who pioneered 5.f3 in the 1920s. The Orthodox system with 6…e5 and 7…c6 became a main weapon for Yugoslav legends Svetozar Gligorić and Borislav Ivkov in the 1950s–60s, later refined by Garry Kasparov during his ascent in the 1980s.
Illustrative Games
- Tal vs. Gligorić, Bled 1961 – Black demonstrated the dynamic potential of …c6 followed by queenside play, eventually out-calculating Tal in mutual time trouble.
- Kasparov vs. Kamsky, Linares 1993 – Kasparov showcased the modern treatment for White with a quick g4 and h4, sacrificing a pawn but crashing through on the kingside.
- Anand vs. Topalov, Wijk aan Zee 1996 – A textbook illustration of Black’s queenside expansion; Topalov’s …b5 break seized the initiative and neutralised Anand’s attack.
Interesting Facts
- In the 2012 World Championship opening preparation files leaked from GM Peter Heine Nielsen, the line 8…cxd5 appeared as a surprise weapon considered for Viswanathan Anand.
- Chess engines originally disliked Black’s space concession, but modern neural-net engines (Leela, NNUE Stockfish) often assess the position as dynamically equal, reviving its popularity in elite practice.
- The Sämisch setup is a common choice for attacking players in rapid and blitz because the strategic roadmap (pawn storm) is easy to follow, whereas Black must navigate exact move orders to counterplay successfully.
Typical Continuations After 8…cxd5
Two of the most common responses are:
- 9.cxd5 – The “Open Centre” line, where play may continue 9…Nbd7 10.Ng3 Nc5, with skirmishes around the d3 and e4 squares.
- 9.Nxd5 – The “Knight Recapture”, aiming for rapid piece activity; Black replies 9…Nxd5 10.cxd5 f5, striking at the centre.
When to Choose This Line
Pick the Sämisch Orthodox 7.d5 c6 8.Qd2 cxd5 if you enjoy:
- Sharp, double-edged middlegames where both sides attack opposite flanks.
- A clear strategic framework (White) or dynamic counter-attack (Black).
- Out-of-book fights: despite long history, the line is less explored than the classical 7…exd4 variations.
Summary
The King’s Indian Sämisch Orthodox with 7.d5 c6 8.Qd2 cxd5 embodies the eternal clash of structure versus dynamism that defines the KID. White stakes everything on a spatial centre and kingside attack, while Black courts counter-chances on the queenside and dark squares. The line remains a fertile battlefield for creative players at every level.