The Sämisch Variation is a variation of the King's Indian Defense, catalogued as ECO E86. The line runs 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3 O-O 6. Be3 e5 7. Nge2 c6, reaching the position shown below after 14 half-moves.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4 and e4, Black on e5), and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at three minor pieces each. It is White to move after seven moves. Black has castled while White’s king is still uncommitted.
On the King's Indian Defense generally: A hypermodern defense where Black allows White to build a big center, then counterattacks it.
You can play through this variation move by move in your browser — Learn mode walks the line with an explanation at each step, and Drill mode replays it from memory so you find out whether you actually know it. No account is required.
See all 112 King's Indian Defense variations →
The Sämisch Variation goes 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3 O-O 6. Be3 e5 7. Nge2 c6. It is a variation of the King's Indian Defense and is catalogued as ECO E86.
The Sämisch Variation is ECO E86. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the King's Indian Defense.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3 O-O 6. Be3 e5 7. Nge2 c6 at +0.81 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.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4 and e4, Black on e5), and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at three minor pieces each. It is White to move. Black has castled while White’s king is still uncommitted.