The Sämisch Variation, Yates Defense 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, reaching the position shown below after 12 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on d4 and e4. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is White to move after six 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, Yates Defense goes 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3 O-O 6. Be3 Nc6. It is a variation of the King's Indian Defense and is catalogued as ECO E83.
The Sämisch Variation, Yates Defense is ECO E83. 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 Nc6 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.
White holds the centre with pawns on d4 and e4. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is White to move. Black has castled while White’s king is still uncommitted.