Kings Indian Defense: Samisch Double Fianchetto
King's Indian Defense, Sämisch, Double Fianchetto Variation
Definition
The term denotes a branch of the King’s Indian Defense (KID) that arises after White adopts the Sämisch set-up (characterised by the pawn triangle d4–c4–e4 and the move f3) while Black responds with a double-fianchetto of his bishops. In practice this means that, besides the customary …Bg7, Black plays …b6 and …Bb7, developing the queen’s bishop on the long a8–h1 diagonal. A representative move order is:
1. d4 Nf6
2. c4 g6
3. Nc3 Bg7
4. e4 d6
5. f3 O-O
6. Be3 b6 (the key double-fianchetto idea)
7. Qd2 c5
8. Nge2 Bb7
Main Move-Order Summary
- 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 initiates the King’s Indian.
- 5.f3 defines the Sämisch Variation: White builds an impressive pawn centre and prepares g2–g4 in some lines.
- …b6 and …Bb7 give the line its “Double Fianchetto” label and distinguish it from more popular KID systems such as the Mar del Plata or the Panno.
Strategic Ideas
For Black
- Control of the light squares: the bishop on b7 pressures the e4 pawn and supports counter-play along the c-file and the long diagonal.
- Flexible pawn breaks: …c5, …e6, and occasionally …d5 challenge White’s centre without the sharp kingside pawn-storm typical in other KID lines.
- Harmonious piece placement: both bishops are “outside” the pawn chain, so Black’s minor pieces rarely get in each other’s way.
For White
- Space advantage: the pawn wedge e4–f3 controls key central squares and restricts Black’s knight play.
- Kingside expansion with g2–g4 and h2–h4 remains a thematic plan, although Black’s early …b6 sometimes slows it down.
- Prepare d4–d5 breaks to seize more space and open the position before Black’s bishops become fully active.
Historical Background
The double-fianchetto idea against the Sämisch was experimented with in the 1950s but received serious attention only in the late 1970s, when grandmasters such as Lajos Portisch and Ulf Andersson searched for positional alternatives to the wild, pawn-storming main lines of the King’s Indian. In the 1990s Boris Gelfand and Peter Svidler began using the variation with success, inspiring a new generation of KID specialists to add it to their repertoires. Modern engines show the line to be strategically rich and fully sound.
Illustrative Game
The following miniature shows many of the key motifs. Notice how Black’s bishops irradiate the board once the centre opens.
[[Pgn| d4|Nf6|c4|g6|Nc3|Bg7|e4|d6| f3|O-O|Be3|b6|Qd2|c5|Nge2|Bb7| d5|e6|Ng3|exd5|cxd5|Ba6 |arrows|c8b7 g7b2|squares|d4 e4 d5]]Typical Plans & Motifs
- Black breaks with …c5 or …e6. If White recaptures with a pawn, Black’s bishops become monsters on the long diagonals.
- White pawn-storm with g4–h4–h5. Success hinges on keeping the centre closed; otherwise, the double-fianchettoed bishops will punish an exposed white king.
- Piece re-routes. Black’s knight often travels Nf6–e8–c7–e6 to target d4 and f4; White’s queen’s knight may jump to b5 or d3 to support central squares.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- The variation is sometimes nicknamed the “Andersson System” after Swedish GM Ulf Andersson, whose patient, positional style was a perfect match for the set-up.
- Grandmaster Peter Svidler used the line as a surprise weapon against Vladimir Kramnik in Dortmund 1998; the game was drawn, but Svidler neutralised Kramnik’s famed preparation.
- The double-fianchetto set-up is one of the few KID structures in which Black willingly refrains from the classic …f7–f5 break for many moves, aiming instead for nuanced manoeuvres.
- Engines estimate the position as roughly equal, yet human players often feel “utterly cramped or totally dominant,” showing how subjective the resulting middlegames can be.
When to Use It
Choose the Double Fianchetto Variation if you enjoy:
- Flexibility and piece play over direct pawn storms,
- Long-term strategic battles rather than razor-sharp tactics,
- Surprising Sämisch specialists expecting the ultra-theoretical Panno or Mar del Plata lines.