King's Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, with Bg5 (E81)

The Sämisch Variation, with Bg5 is a variation of the King's Indian Defense, catalogued as ECO E81. The line runs 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3 O-O 6. Bg5 c5 7. d5 e6 8. Qd2 exd5 9. Nxd5, reaching the position shown below after 17 half-moves.

White holds the centre with pawns on e4. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is Black to move after nine 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, with Bg5 — position after Nxd5 a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
Position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3 O-O 6. Bg5 c5 7. d5 e6 8. Qd2 exd5 9. Nxd5

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1d4Nf6
2c4g6
3Nc3Bg7
4e4d6
5f3O-O
6Bg5c5
7d5e6
8Qd2exd5
9Nxd5

ECO: E81

Stockfish: +0.36 at depth 18

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Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Sämisch Variation, with Bg5?

The Sämisch Variation, with Bg5 goes 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3 O-O 6. Bg5 c5 7. d5 e6 8. Qd2 exd5 9. Nxd5. It is a variation of the King's Indian Defense and is catalogued as ECO E81.

What is the ECO code for the Sämisch Variation, with Bg5?

The Sämisch Variation, with Bg5 is ECO E81. 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, with Bg5 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. Bg5 c5 7. d5 e6 8. Qd2 exd5 9. Nxd5 at +0.36 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, with Bg5 lead to?

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