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E88

E88

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

Polugaevsky, Lev9 gamesTimman, Jan H9 gamesGeller, Efim P8 gamesPetrosian, Tigran V5 gamesKasparov, Gary5 gamesPortisch, Lajos5 gamesNajdorf, Miguel4 gamesReshevsky, Samuel Herman3 gamesSpassky, Boris V3 gamesGrischuk,A2 games

Related Openings

E80 - King's Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation90E81 - King's Indian Defense: Steiner Attack392E82 - 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 Variation65E89 - King's Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Closed Variation, Main Line44

Best Games

Li, Q. vs Grischuk, Alexander1-0
Wch U10 1993Notable
Karpov, Anatoly vs Kasparov, Gary1/2-1/2
Reggio Emilia9192 1992Notable
Polugaevsky, Lev vs Geller, Efim P1/2-1/2
Petropolis Interzonal 1973Notable
Morozevich,A vs Grischuk,A1-0
SportAccord Blindfold Men 2012 2012
Kamsky, Gata vs Kasparov, Gary0-1
Manila ol (Men) 1992
Timman, Jan H vs Kasparov, Gary1-0
Paris Immopar rapid 1991
Gulko, Boris F vs Kasparov, Gary1-0
Linares 1990
Ivanchuk, Vassily vs Piket, Jeroen1/2-1/2
Tilburg 1989
Timman, Jan H vs Kasparov, Gary0-1
World Cup 1988
Kavalek, Lubomir vs Timman, Jan H0-1
Tilburg 1980
Polugaevsky, Lev vs Geller, Efim P1-0
Portoroz playoff 1973
Polugaevsky, Lev vs Geller, Efim P1/2-1/2
URS-ch41 1973
Spassky, Boris V vs Timman, Jan H1-0
IBM 1973
Petrosian, Tigran V vs Reshevsky, Samuel Herman1-0
Tel Aviv olm fin-A 1964
Tal, Mihail vs Gligoric, Svetozar1/2-1/2
Portoroz Interzonal 1958
Alekhine, Alexander vs Euwe, Max1-0
Amsterdam m2 1926
Nepomniachtchi,I vs Le Quang Liem1-0
ECU Club Cup 2006
Utnasunov,A vs Grischuk,A1-0
IV Russian Cup Final 2000
Van der Sterren, Paul vs Kamsky, Gata1/2-1/2
Candidats FIDE m3 1994
Portisch, Lajos vs Sznapik, Aleksander1-0
Budapest zt-B 1993

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