Kings Indian Defense Samisch Samisch Gambit
King’s Indian Defense
Definition
The King’s Indian Defense (often abbreviated KID) is a hyper-modern opening in which Black allows White to occupy the center with pawns and then strikes back with piece pressure and pawn breaks. The canonical move order is:
- 1. d4 Nf6
- 2. c4 g6
- 3. Nc3 Bg7
- 4. e4 d6
Black typically castles kingside on move five, while White builds a broad pawn center with c4-d4-e4. The opening is catalogued in ECO codes E60–E99.
How It Is Used
The KID is a fighting weapon for players who seek unbalanced, dynamic positions:
- Black’s plan: Permit a large white center, then attack it with …e5 or …c5 and launch a kingside pawn storm (…f7-f5-f4, …g6-g5) aimed at checkmating the opponent.
- White’s plan: Exploit spatial advantage, often expanding on the queenside with c4-c5, b2-b4-b5, or a2-a4-a5, and sometimes a central break with d4-d5 or e4-e5.
Strategic & Historical Significance
The KID rose to prominence in the 1940s–50s thanks to Soviet theoreticians such as Isaac Boleslavsky and David Bronstein. It later became a mainstay of champions including Bobby Fischer, Garry Kasparov and, more recently, Teimour Radjabov.
Its strategic themes—opposite-wing attacks, locked pawn chains and piece-play over pawn structure—make the KID one of the most deeply studied openings in chess literature.
Illustrative Example
A classic encounter is Fischer – Gligorić, Palma de Mallorca 1970 (ECO E92):
Both sides hurl pawns toward the enemy king, illustrating the double-edged nature of the opening.
Interesting Facts
- The defense was once considered suspect; Capablanca famously claimed it was “excellent for practicing defensive technique.”
- Kasparov used it as Black in his famous 1997 rematch against Deep Blue, scoring a quick win in game 1.
- Modern engine practice confirms that the KID remains fully sound, though the evaluation may fluctuate wildly even at high depth—perfect for enterprising players.
Sämisch
Definition
“Sämisch” (pronounced “SEH-mish”) refers to opening systems developed or popularized by the German grandmaster and theoretician Friedrich Sämisch (1896-1975). In general, a Sämisch System is one in which White bolsters the central e-pawn with f2-f3 (or neutralizes a pin with a2-a3), laying the groundwork for a later kingside expansion.
Major Sämisch Systems
- King’s Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation – 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.f3.
- Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation – 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.a3, forcing the exchange on c3.
- Alekhine Defense: Sämisch Attack – 1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.Nf3 Bg4 5.h3 Bh5 6.g4.
Typical Ideas
- Secure the pawn center (e4 or d4) with f2-f3 or a2-a3.
- Prepare g2-g4/h2-h4 or b2-b4/b2-b5 pawn storms depending on the opening.
- Accept structural weaknesses (e.g., doubled c-pawns in the Nimzo) in exchange for spatial advantage and attacking chances.
Strategic & Historical Significance
The Sämisch systems embody hyper-modern principles: grab space first, then repel counter-attacks with flexible pawn moves. They became fashionable in the 1920s–30s and found new life in the computer era, as engines confirm that the resulting pawn structures are strategically rich rather than merely “weak.”
Example: Sämisch vs. King’s Indian
After 5.f3, a typical middlegame might arise:
White has a fortified center and opposite-side castling, while Black aims for …f5-f4 and a direct kingside assault.
Interesting Trivia
- Friedrich Sämisch was renowned for brilliant attacking play but chronically struggled with time trouble, once forfeiting on time against Alekhine in a position with mate-in-1 on the board!
- Many modern authors call 5.f3 in the KID a “system” rather than a “variation” because the ensuing positions are so distinctive.
Sämisch Gambit
Definition
The Sämisch Gambit is a sharp pawn sacrifice within the King’s Indian Sämisch Variation. Black offers a pawn with 6…c5 to rip open the position before White can complete development.
- 1.d4 Nf6
- 2.c4 g6
- 3.Nc3 Bg7
- 4.e4 d6
- 5.f3 O-O
- 6.Be3 c5 (the gambit move)
- 7.dxc5 dxc5
Black remains a pawn down but gains:
- Rapid development (…Nc6, …Nc6-d4, …Qa5).
- Pressure on the dark squares c3, d4, and e5.
- Lines for the g7-bishop and rook on d8.
Usage in Practice
The gambit is a favorite of enterprising King’s Indian specialists who prefer immediate activity to slower pawn-storm plans. It often transposes to Benoni-style structures with the extra benefit of a developed king and bishop for Black.
Strategic & Historical Notes
- The idea was examined by Boleslavsky and Bronstein in the early 1950s, receiving its own ECO code E81.
- Modern engines evaluate the position as roughly equal, validating the soundness of Black’s pawn sacrifice.
Illustrative Game
Kasparov – Nunn, Wijk aan Zee 1982 displayed the power of the gambit:
Black quickly mobilized all his pieces, compensating fully for the pawn and eventually winning in a complex rook ending.
Interesting Facts
- Some sources call 6…c5 the “Bronstein Gambit,” but most modern texts use Sämisch Gambit to highlight the underlying 5.f3 system.
- World Champions Fischer, Kasparov and Anand have all accepted the pawn on c5 at least once, showing that the line appeals to both sides of the board!