E85

King's Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Orthodox Variation

Key moves: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.f3

The Sämisch Variation features the aggressive f3, supporting the centre and preparing for a kingside pawn storm or positional play. It's one of the most critical tests of the King's Indian.

History & Notable Players

Named after Fritz Sämisch. It's been a favoured weapon against the KID at the highest levels.

Best Games

Botvinnik, Mikhail vs Tal, Mihail1-0
World Championship 24th • 1961★ Notable
Spassky, Boris V vs Van Oosterom, Joop1-0
Wch U20 final-A • 1955★ Notable
Petrosian, Tigran V vs Diaz, Joaquin C1-0
Biel Interzonal • 1976
Raicevic,V1 vs Duda,J0-1
Titled Tue 12th Nov Early • 2024
Hansen,Eric vs Carlsen,M0-1
Bullet Chess Winners 2023 • 2023
Erigaisi,Arjun vs Kozul,Z1-0
32nd TCh-SLO 2022 • 2022
Thorhallsson,Simon vs Gukesh,D0-1
GAMMA Reykjavik Open 2019 • 2019
Sammour Hasbun,J vs Nakamura,H1/2-1/2
USCL 2007 • 2007
Kosarev,D vs Giri,A0-1
White Nights • 2005
Karpov, Anatoly vs Virostko, Petr1-0
EE Internet sim • 1998
Karpov, Anatoly vs Kwartler, Lonnie1-0
US-chT Amateur East • 1998
Karpov, Anatoly vs Malashenko, Alyona1-0
Voronezh simul • 1997
Karpov, Anatoly vs Ismailova, Parvana1-0
Disney rapid sim • 1994
Kasparov, Gary vs Burijovich, Liliana1-0
Cordoba simul • 1992
Kasparov, Gary vs Echevarria, C.1-0
Cordoba simul • 1992
Portisch, Lajos vs Diez del Corral, Jesus1-0
EU-chT Kapfenberg • 1970
Portisch, Lajos vs Barczay, Laszlo1/2-1/2
Budapest • 1970
Petrosian, Tigran V vs Diez del Corral, Jesus1/2-1/2
Palma de Mallorca • 1968
Botvinnik, Mikhail vs Szabo, Laszlo0-1
EU-chT • 1965
Calero, Ivan vs Geller, Efim P0-1
Capablanca mem • 1963

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