King's Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Closed Variation, Main Line

Before the first move

In the Sämisch Variation, White builds a rock-solid center with f3, discouraging Black's typical kingside counterplay. You'll enter a complex, closed battle where White seeks space on the queenside while Black prepares to strike back at the center or expand on the wings.

1. d4White

White starts with d4, the most common way to enter closed systems. By controlling e5 and c5, White invites a strategic battle where piece maneuvering and pawn structures often outweigh tactical fireworks.

1... Nf6Black · your move

Develop your knight to f6. This flexible move controls the center, prevents White from immediately playing e4, and keeps your options open for several defensive setups.

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

2. c4White

White plays c4, doubling down on central control. You might see the Trompowsky or the London System instead, but this move is the hallmark of the most ambitious and principled opening systems.

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 · your move

Push your pawn to g6. You are preparing to fianchetto your bishop to g7, where it will exert long-range pressure along the great diagonal toward the center.

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

3. Nc3White

White develops the knight to c3, its most natural square in these lines. White could also try the Fianchetto Variation or the aggressive Bg5, but the knight move is the most direct way to support the e4 push.

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 · your move

Fianchetto your bishop to g7. Your bishop is now perfectly placed to monitor the center and protect your king, becoming a powerful long-term asset.

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

White plays e4, establishing a full classical center. Other options like Nf3 or the Fianchetto with g3 are quieter; here, White accepts the challenge of defending a large central space.

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 · your move

Push your pawn to d6. This move stops White from advancing the e-pawn further and prepares to challenge the center with e5 or c5 later on.

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

5. f3White

White plays f3, choosing the Sämisch Variation. This is a very ambitious setup that aims to blunt the g7 bishop. Alternative systems like the Averbakh with Bg5 or the Makogonov with h3 lead to very different pawn structures.

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 · your move

Castle your king to safety. Now that your king is tucked away, you can focus on the central break that will define the next phase of the game.

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

White plays Be3, continuing the Sämisch plan. White could also develop the knight to e2 first, but the bishop move is more flexible, keeping the option of the Steiner Attack with Bg5 in reserve.

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

6... e5Black · your move

Strike at the center with e5. This is the most principled way to challenge White's space. You are forcing White to make a decision about the central tension.

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. Nge2White

White develops with Nge2, maintaining the tension. White often chooses to close the center immediately with d5, but this move keeps more options alive and prepares for a slower, more maneuvering game.

Other paths here: dxe5 (King's Indian: Saemisch, Orthodox, 7.dxe5) · d5 (King's Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Closed Variation)

7... c6Black · your move

Push your pawn to c6. You are preparing to challenge the d4 square and creating an escape route or a supporting square for your queen.

Other paths here: exd4 (King's Indian: Saemisch, Orthodox, 7.Nge2 exd4) · Nbd7 (King's Indian: Saemisch, Orthodox, 7.Nge2 Nbd7) · Nc6 (King's Indian: Saemisch, Orthodox, 7.Nge2 Nc6)

8. d5White

White finally closes the center with d5. This is the Main Line of the Closed Sämisch. White could also play Qd2 to prepare queenside castling, but the pawn push is the most aggressive territorial claim.

Other paths here: Qb3 (King's Indian: Saemisch, Orthodox, 7.Nge2 c6 8.Qb3) · Qd2 (King's Indian: Saemisch, Orthodox, 7.Nge2 c6 8.Qd2)

8... cxd5Black · your move

Capture the pawn on d5. By trading pawns, you open the c-file for your pieces and clarify the central structure before White can consolidate further.

Where you stand

The center is now closed, and the battle lines are drawn. White will likely aim for a kingside attack using the f3-g4-h4 pawn storm or queenside expansion. Black looks to use the open c-file and the typical f5 break to create counterplay. Precision is required for both sides in this high-stakes strategic struggle.

• d1-d2 Connect rooks and prepare queenside castling
• b8-c5 Route knight to active c5 square
• g2-g4 Begin kingside expansion and pawn storm
• f6-h5 Prepare the f5 break for counterplay