Kings Indian Defense Samisch Steiner Attack
Kings Indian Defense Sämisch – Steiner Attack
Definition
The Kings Indian Defense Sämisch – Steiner Attack is a sharp, strategically complex line of the Kings Indian Defense (KID) that arises after the moves: 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3 O-O 6. Be3. It combines two names:
- Sämisch Variation – characterized by White’s early 5.f3, named after German grandmaster Friedrich Sämisch (1896-1975).
- Steiner Attack – the specific follow-up 6.Be3, popularized by the Austrian-Hungarian master Lajos Steiner (1903-1975).
Typical Move Order
One mainstream sequence leading to the Steiner Attack:
- 1. d4 Nf6
- 2. c4 g6
- 3. Nc3 Bg7
- 4. e4 d6
- 5. f3 O-O
- 6. Be3 Nbd7 (or 6…c5, 6…e5, 6…Nc6)
Strategic Themes
- White’s set-up: A massive e4-f3 pawn chain bolsters the center and prepares a kingside pawn storm with g2-g4, h2-h4-h5. The light-squared bishop usually heads to d3 or e2; the queen eyeing h7 often lands on d2.
- Black’s counterplay: Aiming to undermine the center with …c5 and/or …e5, or to strike on the queenside with …a6-b5-b4. Piece pressure on d4 and e4 is continuous.
- Pawn structures: Closed, with fixed central pawns (d4-e4 vs. d6-e5 or d6-c5). This grants both sides time for wing attacks—White on the kingside, Black on the queenside.
- King placement: White normally castles long (O-O-O), keeping rooks on g1 and h1 for a pawn storm. Black stays kingside but seeks counter-thrusts and central breaks to blunt the attack.
- Piece trades: White sometimes plays Nge2 to support f3 and allow g2-g4. Black may exchange dark-squared bishops with …Bh6 or central knights with …Nh5-f4.
Historical Significance
The Sämisch was feared in the 1950s-60s because it challenged the standard KID setup head-on. After Lajos Steiner showed the power of 6.Be3 in numerous Australasian tournaments, the line entered grandmaster praxis. Soviet KID specialists—Gligorić, Geller, and later Kasparov—developed counter-ideas, leading to rich theoretical debates that continue today.
Illustrative Game
One of the earliest showcases was Petrosian – Gligorić, Bled 1959:
Though the game featured mistakes on both sides, it vividly illustrates the themes: White’s pawn storm versus Black’s queenside and central breaks.
Modern Practice
Today the Steiner Attack retains theoretical bite. Engines show dynamic equality but the positions remain double-edged, ideal for players seeking unbalanced play.
- Popular with aggressive White players such as Vladimir Kramnik in his youth and Richard Rapport.
- Trusted by Black specialists like Teimour Radjabov and Alexander Beliavsky, who willingly enter the chaos to fight for a win.
Example Branches
A) 6…c5 7.Nge2 Nc6 8.Qd2
Black hits d4 before White can castle long; sharp play ensues after 8…cxd4 9.Nxd4.
B) 6…Nbd7 7.Nge2 c5 8.Qd2 a6
The Panno Variation style queenside expansion with …b5 aims to open files against White’s king.
Anecdotes & Trivia
- Kasparov used a Sämisch-inspired setup (with f3 and Be3) against Deep Blue in 1997, though not via a pure KID move order.
- Because both players often castle to opposite wings, the line has produced some of the shortest decisive grandmaster games in the KID – records of mates before move 25 are not uncommon.
- Friedrich Sämisch never played 6.Be3 himself; the hybrid name honors both pioneers while reminding us how opening theory evolves through collective effort.