King's Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Closed Variation (E87)

The Sämisch Variation, Closed Variation is a variation of the King's Indian Defense, catalogued as ECO E87. The line runs 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3 O-O 6. Be3 e5 7. d5, reaching the position shown below after 13 half-moves.

Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d5 and e4, Black on e5). Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is Black 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.

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King's Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Closed Variation — position after d5 a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
Position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3 O-O 6. Be3 e5 7. d5

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1d4Nf6
2c4g6
3Nc3Bg7
4e4d6
5f3O-O
6Be3e5
7d5

ECO: E87

Stockfish: +0.60 at depth 18

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Position characteristics

Related King's Indian Defense lines

Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Sämisch Variation, Closed Variation?

The Sämisch Variation, Closed Variation goes 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3 O-O 6. Be3 e5 7. d5. It is a variation of the King's Indian Defense and is catalogued as ECO E87.

What is the ECO code for the Sämisch Variation, Closed Variation?

The Sämisch Variation, Closed Variation is ECO E87. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the King's Indian Defense.

Is the Sämisch Variation, Closed Variation good for White?

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. d5 at +0.60 at depth 18, which is a slight pull for White, within normal opening margins. 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 Sämisch Variation, Closed Variation lead to?

Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d5 and e4, Black on e5). Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is Black to move. Black has castled while White’s king is still uncommitted.