King's Indian Defense · E87
Sämisch Variation, Bronstein Defense
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3 O-O 6. Be3 e5 7. d5 Nh5 8. Qd2 Qh4+ 9. g3 Nxg3 10. Qf2 Nxf1 11. Qxh4 Nxe3 12. Ke2
The structure hands White the half-open g-file - rook pressure down it is a standing plan. White is up material out of the opening - Black is banking on activity to show for it. Black's kingside bishop takes the long diagonal. f3 armours e4 and prepares Be3/Qd2 with queenside castling an option: White wants a slow clamp or a direct h4-h5 storm.
The first 4 moves, explained
- 1. d4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling e5, and frees the bishop and queen.
- 1... Nf6 Develops the knight to f6, eyeing d5 and e4.
- 2. c4 Fights for d5 from the flank - contesting the centre without committing a centre pawn.
- 2... g6 Prepares the fianchetto: the bishop will take the long diagonal via g7. Theory calls this the West Indian Defense.
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Where this fits
This line is one of 119 in the King's Indian Defense. If you want to know where your own games leave it, the guide on leaving theory explains how that is found.