E81
King's Indian Defense: Steiner Attack
Key moves: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.f3
The Sämisch Variation features the aggressive f3, supporting the centre and preparing for a kingside pawn storm or positional play. It's one of the most critical tests of the King's Indian.
History & Notable Players
Named after Fritz Sämisch. It's been a favoured weapon against the KID at the highest levels.
Top Players in this Opening
Related Openings
E80 - King's Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation90E82 - King's Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Double Fianchetto45E83 - King's Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Yates Defense51E84 - King's Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Panno Main Line70E85 - King's Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Orthodox Variation43E86 - King's Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation55E87 - King's Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Closed Variation65E88 - E8858E89 - King's Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Closed Variation, Main Line44
Best Games
Svidler,P vs Grischuk,A1/2-1/2
FIDE Candidates • 2013★ Notable
Svidler,P vs Radjabov,T1-0
FIDE Candidates • 2013★ Notable
Giri,A vs Radjabov,T1/2-1/2
74th Tata Steel GMA • 2012★ Notable
Ivanchuk,V vs Grischuk,A1/2-1/2
20th Amber Blindfold • 2011★ Notable
Ponomariov,R vs Grischuk,A1-0
73rd Tata Steel GMA • 2011★ Notable
Morozevich,A vs Svidler,P0-1
WCh-FIDE • 2005★ Notable
Ivanchuk,V vs Svidler,P1-0
Amber Blindfold • 2004★ Notable
Ivanchuk, Vassily vs Kasparov, Gary1-0
Linares 14th • 1997★ Notable
Ljubojevic, Ljubomir vs Kamsky, Gata1/2-1/2
Amber-rapid 3rd • 1994★ Notable
Kramnik, Vladimir vs Gelfand, Boris1-0
Linares • 1993★ Notable
Karpov, Anatoly vs Timman, Jan H1/2-1/2
FIDE-Wch • 1993★ Notable
Karpov, Anatoly vs Timman, Jan H1-0
FIDE-Wch • 1993★ Notable
Karpov, Anatoly vs Ivanchuk, Vassily1-0
Amber-blind 2nd • 1993★ Notable
Ivanchuk, Vassily vs Gelfand, Boris1/2-1/2
Reggio Emilia9192 • 1992★ Notable
Karpov, Anatoly vs Kasparov, Gary1/2-1/2
World Championship 35th-KK5 • 1990★ Notable
Portisch, Lajos vs Gelfand, Boris1/2-1/2
Linares • 1990★ Notable
Timman, Jan H vs Petrosian, Tigran V1/2-1/2
Rio de Janeiro Interzonal • 1979★ Notable
Jussupow, Artur vs Santo Roman, Marc1-0
Wch U20 • 1978★ Notable
Botvinnik, Mikhail vs Tal, Mihail1-0
World Championship 24th • 1961★ Notable
Botvinnik, Mikhail vs Tal, Mihail0-1
World Championship 24th • 1961★ Notable