King's Indian Defense: Fianchetto Variation, Simagin Variation (E62)

The Fianchetto Variation, Simagin Variation is a variation of the King's Indian Defense, catalogued as ECO E62. The line runs 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. Nf3 d6 5. g3 O-O 6. Bg2 Nc6 7. O-O Bg4, reaching the position shown below after 14 half-moves.

White holds the centre with pawns on d4. Development is level at three minor pieces each. It is White to move after seven moves. Both kings have castled kingside, so play tends to shift to the centre and the opposite flank.

On the King's Indian Defense generally: A hypermodern defense where Black allows White to build a big center, then counterattacks it.

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King's Indian Defense: Fianchetto Variation, Simagin Variation — position after Bg4 h1g2f3e4d5c6b7a8
Position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. Nf3 d6 5. g3 O-O 6. Bg2 Nc6 7. O-O Bg4

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1d4Nf6
2c4g6
3Nc3Bg7
4Nf3d6
5g3O-O
6Bg2Nc6
7O-OBg4

ECO: E62

Stockfish: +0.77 at depth 18

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Position characteristics

Related King's Indian Defense lines

Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Fianchetto Variation, Simagin Variation?

The Fianchetto Variation, Simagin Variation goes 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. Nf3 d6 5. g3 O-O 6. Bg2 Nc6 7. O-O Bg4. It is a variation of the King's Indian Defense and is catalogued as ECO E62.

What is the ECO code for the Fianchetto Variation, Simagin Variation?

The Fianchetto Variation, Simagin Variation is ECO E62. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the King's Indian Defense.

Is the Fianchetto Variation, Simagin Variation good for Black?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. Nf3 d6 5. g3 O-O 6. Bg2 Nc6 7. O-O Bg4 at +0.77 at depth 18, which is a small but real edge for White. Engine evaluation is only a starting point — at club level the practical value of a line is mostly about whether you know its plans better than your opponent does.

What kind of position does the Fianchetto Variation, Simagin Variation lead to?

White holds the centre with pawns on d4. Development is level at three minor pieces each. It is White to move. Both kings have castled kingside, so play tends to shift to the centre and the opposite flank.