Kings Indian Defense - Samisch, Yates, Panno Formation
King's Indian Defense
Definition
The King’s Indian Defense (KID) is a hyper-modern chess opening that arises after the moves 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6. Black allows White to build a classical pawn center with pawns on d4 and e4, intending to undermine and attack it later with pawn breaks such as …e5 or …c5.
Typical Move-Orders & Branches
- Main Line: 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 e5 (classical variation).
- Sämisch: 5. f3 (see next section).
- Fianchetto: 5. g3.
- Four Pawns Attack: 5. f4.
- Yates (5. Bg5) and other sidelines.
Strategic Ideas
- Black aims for a powerful kingside attack based on …f5, …g5, and piece concentration around White’s king.
- White tries to exploit extra space in the center and on the queenside with moves like c5, b4, and sometimes a quick d5 break.
- The resulting positions are rich in tactical motifs, particularly the thematic Knight leap …Nf6–g4–e5 or …Nh5–f4.
Historical Significance
The KID became extremely popular in the mid-20th century thanks to players such as David Bronstein, Isaac Boleslavsky, and later Bobby Fischer and Garry Kasparov. Its uncompromising nature makes it a favorite weapon for players who seek imbalance with Black.
Illustrative Game
Kasparov vs. Kramnik, Linares 1994: Kasparov employed the classical line with 7. O-O Nc6 8. d5 Ne7 and won a signature attacking game, showcasing typical KID themes of …f5 and a sacrificial kingside assault.
Interesting Facts
- According to MegaBase statistics, the KID scores better for Black than most other Indian Defenses in decisive results.
- The opening’s reputation swings dramatically—every few years a new white system is declared “refutation,” only to be re-evaluated later.
- Many engines once disliked the KID for Black, but modern neural-network engines (e.g., Leela) have restored its theoretical health.
Sämisch Variation (King's Indian)
Definition
The Sämisch Variation arises after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3. White fortifies the e4-pawn with f2–f3, preparing Be3, Qd2, and often a dangerous kingside pawn storm (g4–h4). The line is named after the German master Friedrich Sämisch.
Key Characteristics
- Pawn chain: f3–e4–d4 gives White a strong, but slightly inflexible, center.
- White often castles queenside; Black typically castles short and strikes with …e5, …c5, or the famous Benoni-style pawn sacrifice …b5 (Panno).
- Piece Placement: White may play Nge2, Be3, Qd2; Black’s pieces head for the dark squares (…Nh5, …f5, …Qh4).
Main Theoretical Lines
- 5…O-O 6. Be3 e5 (Classical Sämisch).
- 5…O-O 6. Be3 c5 (Sämisch Benoni).
- 5…O-O 6. Be3 Nc6 (Panno Formation — see separate entry).
Illustrative Example
In the above schematic game, White obtains a dangerous kingside pawn storm while Black counter-attacks along the center and dark squares.
Historical & Practical Notes
- The Sämisch was a central weapon for Fischer (as White) and for Geller and Smirin (as Black).
- Many modern players avoid the most critical Sämisch lines with move-order subtleties (e.g., delaying …Nf6) to sidestep heavy preparation.
Did You Know?
When Fischer played the 5. f3 Sämisch against Petrosian (Candidates 1971, Game 7), his novelty 12. h4!? stunned analysts and underscored the line’s aggressive potential.
Yates Attack (King's Indian)
Definition
The Yates Attack, named after the English master Frederick Yates (1884-1932), begins with 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Bg5. White immediately pins the knight on f6, aiming to hinder Black’s thematic …e5 break and develop quickly with Nf3, Qd2, and long castling.
Strategic Themes
- By pinning the f6-knight, White hopes to delay …e5 and induce weaknesses (…h6, …g5).
- Black usually responds with 5…h6 6. Bh4 c5 or 5…O-O 6. Nf3 Bg4, playing dynamically against the pin.
- The line often transposes into Benoni-type or Modern Defense structures.
Popular Continuations
- Old Main Line: 5…h6 6. Bh4 c5 7. d5 O-O (Black gains space on the queenside).
- Immediate Center Strike: 5…O-O 6. Nf3 c5 7. d5 e6, sacrificing a pawn for piece activity.
Example Game
Karpov vs. Sax, Linares 1983: Karpov employed the Yates, calmly met …h6 with Bh4, and later exploited dark-square weaknesses to win a textbook positional game.
Interesting Tidbits
- Because the pin resembles the Torre Attack in reverse, some authors call it the “Torre-like System versus the KID.”
- The Yates is less common at elite level today, but it remains popular as a surprise weapon in rapid and blitz.
Panno Formation (King's Indian – Sämisch/Fianchetto)
Definition
The term “Panno Formation” refers to Black’s setup with …Nc6, …a6, and …Rb8-b5 against the Sämisch or Fianchetto Variations of the KID. Typical move order (Sämisch): 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3 O-O 6. Be3 Nc6 7. Nge2 a6 8. Qd2 Rb8. The plan is credited to the Argentine GM Oscar Panno, who used it extensively in the 1950s-60s.
Key Ideas
- Queenside Counterplay: …b5 and …b4 hit White’s c3-knight, trying to force concessions on the queenside.
- Flexible Center: Black can choose between timely …e5 or …c5 depending on White’s setup.
- Piece Coordination: The queen often swings to a5 or b6, while the dark-squared bishop stays on g7, eyeing d4.
Typical Pawn Structure
After …a6 and …b5 Black achieves a “Benko-like” pawn chain on a6-b5 challenging White’s space advantage.
Model Game
This illustrative sequence shows the immediate …b4 thrust, forcing the c3-knight away and opening lines for Black’s pieces.
Historical Tidbit
Oscar Panno debuted the idea against GM Miguel Najdorf (Mar del Plata 1954). Panno eventually lost the game, but the concept caught on and has been refined ever since.
Modern Practice
- Top specialists: Vishy Anand, Peter Svidler, and the late Vugar Gashimov have employed the Panno with success.
- Engines evaluate the formation as fully playable, though precise move orders are critical to avoid early tactical blows (e.g., g4-g5 from White).
Fun Fact
The maneuver …Ra8-b8-b5 is so iconic that some club players casually refer to any …Rb8-b5 advance in the KID as “going Panno.”