King's Indian: Saemisch, Orthodox, 7.d5 c6

Before the first move

The Saemisch Variation of the King's Indian is White's most aggressive and solid response to the Indian defenses. By reinforcing the center with f3, White prepares a massive kingside pawn storm while clamping down on Black's counterplay. It leads to sharp, strategic battles where both sides must be precise.

1. d4White · your move

Move your pawn to d4 to claim central space. This classic opening move controls the e5 square and opens pathways for your queen and dark-squared bishop, setting the stage for a powerful closed or semi-closed game.

1... Nf6Black

Black replies with Nf6, the standard Indian Defense response. By developing the knight, Black maintains flexibility. While moves like e6 or d5 are common, Nf6 is the most popular choice to challenge White's central dominance without committing the pawns too early.

Other paths here: Na6 (Australian Defense) · g5 (Borg Defense: Borg Gambit) · b6 (English Defense) · e5 (Englund Gambit)

2. c4White · your move

Push your pawn to c4. This move increases your control over the d5 square and prepares to develop your knight behind the pawn. It is a fundamental part of the Queen's Gambit and Indian structures.

Other paths here: f4 (Canard Opening) · g4 (Indian Defense: Gibbins-Weidenhagen Gambit) · e4 (Indian Defense: Omega Gambit) · d5 (Indian Defense: Pawn Push Variation)

2... g6Black

Black chooses g6, preparing to place the bishop on g7. This hypermodern approach invites White to occupy the center with pawns. Alternatives like e6 would lead to the Queen's Indian, while Nc6 would signal the Mexican Defense.

Other paths here: g5 (Indian Defense: Medusa Gambit) · b5 (Indian Defense: Pyrenees Gambit) · a6 (Indian: 2.c4 a6) · Nc6 (Mexican Defense)

3. Nc3White · your move

Develop your knight to c3. This move puts pressure on d5 and e4, supporting your central pawns and preparing for further expansion. It is the most natural and strongest development for the knight in these structures.

Other paths here: d5 (Indian Defense: Anti-Grünfeld, Advance Variation) · f3 (Indian Defense: Anti-Grünfeld, Alekhine Variation) · h4 (Indian Defense: Anti-Grünfeld, Basman-Williams Attack) · g3 (King's Indian Defense: Fianchetto Variation, Immediate Fianchetto)

3... Bg7Black

Black completes the fianchetto with Bg7. The bishop is now the soul of Black's position. Black could have played d5 to enter a Gruenfeld Defense, but sticking to the King's Indian plan keeps the tension high and the center fluid.

Other paths here: d5 (Grünfeld Defense) · c5 (King's Indian: 3.Nc3 c5) · c6 (King's Indian: 3.Nc3 c6) · d6 (King's Indian: 3.Nc3 d6)

4. e4White · your move

Push your pawn to e4 to establish a full classical pawn center. With pawns on c4, d4, and e4, you have a significant space advantage and have successfully seized the most important squares in the middle of the board.

Other paths here: Bf4 (King's Indian: 4.Bf4) · Bg5 (King's Indian: 4.Bg5) · g3 (King's Indian: 4.g3) · Nf3 (King's Indian: 4.Nf3)

4... d6Black

Black plays d6, a necessary stabilizing move. Without this, White's e-pawn might become a nuisance. While Black often castles first, d6 is a flexible way to wait and see how White intends to arrange their pieces.

Other paths here: O-O (King's Indian: 4.e4 O-O)

5. f3White · your move

Push your pawn to f3. This is the defining move of the Saemisch Variation. It over-defends e4, prevents any annoying ...Ng4 jumps, and prepares a future kingside attack with g4 and h4.

Other paths here: Bg5 (King's Indian Defense: Accelerated Averbakh Variation) · Nge2 (King's Indian Defense: Kramer Variation) · Bd3 (King's Indian: 4.e4 d6 5.Bd3) · h3 (King's Indian Defense: Makogonov Variation)

5... O-OBlack

Black castles, finishing kingside development. This is the most common response, though sharp alternatives like c5 or e5 are sometimes played immediately to challenge the Saemisch setup before White can fully consolidate.

Other paths here: a6 (King's Indian: Saemisch, 5...a6) · c5 (King's Indian: Saemisch, 5...c5) · c6 (King's Indian: Saemisch, 5...c6) · e5 (King's Indian: Saemisch, 5...e5)

6. Be3White · your move

Develop your bishop to e3. This piece supports the d4 pawn and prepares for queenside castling. In the Saemisch, this bishop often becomes a key defender or an attacker along the h6-c1 diagonal.

Other paths here: Nge2 (King's Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Bobotsov-Korchnoi-Petrosian Variation) · Bg5 (King's Indian Defense: Steiner Attack)

6... e5Black

Black strikes with e5. This is the Orthodox response to the Saemisch. Black could also try c5, the Saemisch Gambit, or the more patient Nbd7. The move e5 forces White to either close the center or trade pawns.

Other paths here: c5 (King's Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Sämisch Gambit) · a6 (King's Indian: Saemisch, 5...O-O 6.Be3 a6) · c6 (King's Indian: Saemisch, 5...O-O 6.Be3 c6) · Nbd7 (King's Indian: Saemisch, 5...O-O 6.Be3 Nbd7)

7. d5White · your move

Push your pawn to d5 to close the center. By locking the position, you gain a space advantage on the queenside and restrict Black's pieces. This sets the stage for a long strategic battle where pawn breaks are key.

Other paths here: dxe5 (King's Indian: Saemisch, Orthodox, 7.dxe5) · Nge2 (King's Indian: Saemisch, Orthodox, 7.Nge2)

7... c6Black

Black plays c6, the most direct way to challenge the d5 pawn. Other popular choices include Nh5, preparing f5, or a5, which seeks to gain space on the queenside. The battle lines are now clearly drawn in this complex structure.

Other paths here: a5 (King's Indian: Saemisch, Orthodox, 7.d5 a5) · c5 (King's Indian: Saemisch, Orthodox, 7.d5 c5) · Nbd7 (King's Indian: Saemisch, Orthodox, 7.d5 Nbd7) · Nh5 (King's Indian: Saemisch, Orthodox, 7.d5 Nh5)

Where you stand

The position is a classic King's Indian struggle. White will likely castle queenside and launch a pawn storm on the kingside with g4 and h4. Black must generate counterplay on the queenside or through the f5 break. Precision is required for both sides as the game often becomes a race between two powerful attacks.

• d1-d2 Coordinate queen and bishop for kingside pressure
• e1-c1 Castle queenside to launch kingside pawn storm
• f6-h5 Reposition knight to prepare the f5 break
• f7-f5 Strike at the center and open lines
• g2-g4 Initiate the kingside attack against the king