King's Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Ruban Variation (E83)

The Sämisch Variation, Ruban Variation is a variation of the King's Indian Defense, catalogued as ECO E83. The line runs 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3 O-O 6. Be3 Nc6 7. Nge2 Rb8, reaching the position shown below after 14 half-moves.

White holds the centre with pawns on d4 and e4. 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.

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King's Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Ruban Variation — position after Rb8 h1g2f3e4d5c6b7a8
Position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3 O-O 6. Be3 Nc6 7. Nge2 Rb8

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1d4Nf6
2c4g6
3Nc3Bg7
4e4d6
5f3O-O
6Be3Nc6
7Nge2Rb8

ECO: E83

Stockfish: +0.53 at depth 18

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Frequently asked questions

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

The Sämisch Variation, Ruban Variation goes 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3 O-O 6. Be3 Nc6 7. Nge2 Rb8. It is a variation of the King's Indian Defense and is catalogued as ECO E83.

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

The Sämisch Variation, Ruban Variation is ECO E83. 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, Ruban Variation good for Black?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3 O-O 6. Be3 Nc6 7. Nge2 Rb8 at +0.53 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, Ruban Variation lead to?

White holds the centre with pawns on d4 and e4. Development is level at three minor pieces each. It is White to move. Black has castled while White’s king is still uncommitted.