Kings Indian Defense Samisch Variation
King - Indian Defense, Sämisch Variation
Definition
The Sämisch Variation is a sharp and strategically rich system for White in the
King’s Indian Defense (KID). It arises after the moves:
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3.
White reinforces the e4-pawn with f2–f3, preparing a broad pawn center with
d4–e4–f3 and often g2–g4. Black, true to KID style, allows this space grab
but schemes to undermine or attack it with pawn breaks (…e5, …c5), flank
pressure (…Nh5/…f5) and piece play against the white king.
Origin of the Name
The line is named after Austrian-German grandmaster Friedrich Sämisch (1896-1975), an imaginative attacking player who employed the variation in the 1920s. Though he never fully systematized its theory, his early games showcased the power of locking the center and storming the kingside.
Typical Move Order
- 1. d4 Nf6
- 2. c4 g6
- 3. Nc3 Bg6
- 4. e4 d6
- 5. f3 O-O (or 5…c5/5…e5)
- 6. Be3 (main line) Nbd7 / e5 / c5
Other sixth-move options for White include 6.Nge2, 6.Bg5 and 6.d5, each with its own subtleties.
Strategic Themes for White
- Maintain a powerful central phalanx (d4-e4-f3) limiting Black’s minor pieces.
- Use h2-h4-h5 and g2-g4-g5 to spearhead a kingside pawn storm once the center is closed.
- Aim for a queenside space clamp with c4-c5 in some lines, fixing Black’s structure and securing d5.
- Exploit the f-file: after exf5 gxf5 (or Black’s …exf4), the half-open file can be turned against Black’s king.
Strategic Themes for Black
- Break the center with the classic pawn thrusts …e5 or …c5, sometimes sacrificing a pawn for activity.
- Employ the …Nh5/…f5 plan to undermine e4 and open lines toward White’s king.
- Use Queenside counterplay based on …a6, …b5 and piece pressure on the c4-pawn when the center is fixed.
- Strike tactically with piece sacrifices on e4 (…Nxe4) or h4 (…Bxh4) when White overextends.
Historical Milestones
- 1920s-30s — Sämisch pioneers the idea; contemporaries view 5.f3 as eccentric but dangerous.
- 1950s-60s — Soviet theoreticians (Bronstein, Geller, Gligorić) refine Black’s defensive resources; the Sämisch becomes a main battleground of KID theory.
- 1980s-90s — Garry Kasparov revives the line with dynamic new ideas, while Vassily Ivanchuk and others prove its viability for White.
- Modern Era — The variation retains popularity in classical, rapid and online blitz, embraced by aggressive players such as Richard Rapport and Daniil Dubov.
Illustrative Games
Game 1: David Bronstein – Efim Geller, Moscow 1951
Bronstein’s imaginative pawn sacrifices and kingside pawn storm illustrate the raw attacking potential of the Sämisch when Black fails to strike in the center in time.
Game 2: Garry Kasparov – Viktor Korchnoi, London 1983
A classic demonstration of how White’s space advantage and rapid pawn advances (h- and g-pawns) give Kasparov a lasting initiative, eventually overwhelming one of the world’s best defenders.
Typical Tactical Motifs
- Sacrifice on h5/h6 – Bxh5 or Nxg6 to rip open Black’s king shelter.
- e4-e5 push – Securing a knight outpost on e4/e6 and locking the center for a flank attack.
- Exchange sac on f6 – Rxf6 followed by Qh6/Ng5 ideas when Black’s pieces are overworked.
- Queenside “minority attack” for Black – …b5-b4 trying to fracture White’s c4-d4 chain.
Modern Evaluation
Contemporary engines give White a slight plus (+0.3 to +0.5) in many main- line positions, reflecting the structural space advantage. Nevertheless, the position remains imbalanced; one inaccurate move by either side can tilt the evaluation dramatically. This rich double-edged nature is why the Sämisch retains popularity from club level to elite tournaments.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- In the famous 1997 Kasparov vs Deep Blue match, the machine chose the King’s Indian but avoided the Sämisch, which Kasparov had crushed in previous human encounters.
- The line has inspired many “tabiya” nicknames: the “Kavalek Variation” (7…c6 lines) and the “Panno System” (…Nc6/a6/b5 structures).
- Because of the early pawn on f3, many junior players humorously call the setup the “Sämisch Safety Belt,” noting how it straps down the e4 pawn and keeps Black’s knight off g4.
- Statistical databases (2023) show that in games rated 2400+, the Sämisch scores a healthy 55 % for White in classical time controls.
Why Study the Sämisch?
• It teaches classical attacking themes with pawn storms
against a fianchetto.
• Both sides must master timing: when to close the center,
when to break it open.
• The variation provides a reliable surprise weapon; many
KID players expect the main lines with Nf3 or g3 and may be less booked-up
on the Sämisch.
Recommended further reading: “The King’s Indian Warfare” by Ilya Smirin (Ch. 5), and “Opening Repertoire: The Sämisch & the Rest of the King’s Indian” by Yrjö Rantanen & Timo Karttunen.