Chess opening · ECO E80

King's Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation

The King's Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation starts 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3. It ranks #139 of the 174 openings on this site by how often rated players on Lichess reach it.

The position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3. Black to move.

Move by move

  1. 1. d4White pushes the d-pawn two squares to d4, staking a claim in the center.
  2. 1... Nf6Black develops the kingside knight to f6.
  3. 2. c4White pushes the c-pawn two squares to c4.
  4. 2... g6Black advances the g-pawn to g6.
  5. 3. Nc3White develops the queenside knight to c3.
  6. 3... Bg7Black develops the dark-squared bishop to g7.
  7. 4. e4White pushes the e-pawn two squares to e4, staking a claim in the center.
  8. 4... d6Black advances the d-pawn to d6.
  9. 5. f3White advances the f-pawn to f3.

What players choose next, by rating

The three most common Black moves from this position in rated Lichess games, grouped by the rating of the player making the move. O-O is the most popular next move in every rating band.

RatingMost commonSecondThird
1200–1399O-O 100%––
1400–1599O-O 91%Nbd7 9%–
1600–1799O-O 86%Nbd7 9%Nc6 3%
1800–1999O-O 91%Nc6 3%c6 2%
2000 and upO-O 89%c6 7%Nbd7 5%

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