Kings Indian Defense: Samisch, Orthodox, Closed, Bronstein
King’s Indian Defense (KID)
Definition
The King’s Indian Defense is a double-flank opening that arises after the moves 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 followed by …d6. Black voluntarily concedes space in the centre in order to build a compact, flexible pawn chain (…d6–e5) and launch a counter-attack on the kingside.
Typical Move-Order
- 1. d4 Nf6
- 2. c4 g6
- 3. Nc3 Bg7
- 4. e4 d6
- 5. Nf3 O-O
- 6. Be2 e5 (main line)
Strategic Ideas
- Black: Break with …f7-f5 or …c7-c6/ …d6-d5 and attack the white king once the centre is fixed.
- White: Exploit central space with f2-f3, d4-d5 or c4-c5, expand on the queenside (b2-b4–b5), or play for a direct e4-e5 push.
Historical Significance
The KID became fashionable in the mid-20th century thanks to players such as Isaac Boleslavsky, David Bronstein and, later, Bobby Fischer and Garry Kasparov. It remains one of the sharpest main-line responses to 1.d4.
Illustrative Game
Fischer – Geller, Stockholm Interzonal 1962: Fischer’s 14.g4!? paved the way for a brutal kingside pawn storm, showcasing the uncompromising nature of the KID.
Interesting Facts
- Kasparov scored nearly 70 % with the KID as Black during his peak years.
- Its reputation swings wildly: some cycles consider it dubious, while others hail it as the ultimate fighting weapon.
Sämisch Variation (of the KID)
Definition
The Sämisch arises after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3. White fortifies the e4-pawn, denies Black knight outposts on g4/e5, and prepares Be3, Qd2 and long castling.
Main Line
After 5…O-O 6.Be3 e5 7.Nge2 Nc6 8.Qd2, both sides are committed: White will storm the kingside with h2-h4-h5, Black will counter on the dark squares or play the pawn sacrifice …c7-c5.
Strategic Themes
- White: Space advantage, pawn storm, and potential positional bind with d4-d5.
- Black: Counter-sacrifice (…c5 or …b5), dark-square pressure, and piece play against White’s uncastled king.
Historical & Theoretical Notes
Named after German master Friedrich Sämisch, the line was popularised by Mikhail Tal and later refined by contemporary theoreticians with the aggressive 6…c5!? Benoni-style break known as the Sämisch Gambit.
Example Game
Kasparov – Kamsky, Linares 1993: Kasparov unleashed 15.h5!! to pry open the h-file, culminating in a famous rook sacrifice on h7.
Orthodox Variation (of the KID)
Definition
The Orthodox or “Classical” KID occurs after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 e5. Whereas the Sämisch fortifies e4 with f2-f3, the Orthodox trusts in piece play.
Key Continuations
- 7. O-O Nc6 8. d5 Ne7 9. Ne1! Main line with future f2-f3, g2-g4.
- 7. d5 The “Petrosian System,” locking the centre and eyeing c5.
- 7. Be3 The Gligorić System, aiming for Qd2, 0-0-0 and a pawn storm.
Strategic Battle
In the Orthodox, the central tension (pawns on e4/e5 and d4/d6) dictates play. If Black manages …f5 under good conditions, the kingside attack is lethal; if White restrains it, the spatial edge becomes decisive.
Historical Highlight
Karpov – Kasparov, World Championship 1985 (16th game). Kasparov equalised with a dynamic …exd4 break, later seizing the initiative with …f5. The victory contributed to his first world title.
Closed Position (“Closed Game” / “Closed Structure”)
Definition
In a closed position most central and wing pawn chains are locked, severely restricting immediate piece mobility. Typical examples arise from the French Advance, the Sämisch KID after d4-d5, or the Closed Sicilian.
Identifying Features
- Pawn chains block open files and diagonals.
- Manoeuvring, pawn breaks and piece rerouting dominate over brute tactics.
- Knights often outshine bishops because they jump over blocked pawns.
Strategic Guide
- Locate break points (pawn levers such as c4-c5 or f2-f4).
- Re-route pieces behind the pawn chain (Nd2-f1-g3 in the King’s Indian Attack).
- Do not rush – tempo losses are less critical when nothing is immediately open.
Classic Example
Petrosian – Botvinnik, World Championship 1963 (Game 5): A seemingly tranquil French structure exploded after Petrosian’s well-prepared c4-c5 break, illustrating the power of patiently improving one’s worst-placed piece in a closed game.
Fun Fact
The term “closed” is also used in opening taxonomy (Closed Games = 1.d4 d5), but the positional concept is broader and applies to any locked pawn structure.
Bronstein Defense (Bronstein–Benoni)
Definition
The Bronstein Defense is an early …c5 gambit idea against 1.d4 that typically arises via 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 c5!? David Bronstein introduced the move in the 1950s as a dynamic alternative to the more famous Grünfeld (3…d5) or Modern Benoni (3…c5 4.d5 e6).
Core Idea
- By delaying …e6, Black keeps the light-squared bishop flexible (often to g7).
- After 4.d5, Black seeks counterplay with …e6, …exd5 and rapid piece activity, sometimes sacrificing a pawn.
Theoretical Status
Considered risky but playable. Engines rate the line as slightly worse for Black, yet the imbalance and surprise value make it a viable practical weapon.
Historical Example
Bronstein – Najdorf, Zürich Candidates 1953: Bronstein, facing his own creation as White (!), showed that accurate play can blunt Black’s initiative, but the defense’s combative spirit was on full display.
Anecdotes
- Bronstein reportedly invented 3…c5 during pre-tournament analysis for the 1951 World Championship match versus Botvinnik, hoping to generate winning chances with Black.
- Modern practitioners like Richard Rapport still spring it occasionally, proving its enduring surprise value.