King's Indian Defense · E89

Sämisch Variation, Closed Variation, Main Line

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3 O-O 6. Be3 e5 7. Nge2 c6 8. d5 cxd5

An early pawn trade leaves the c-file as Black's avenue and the d-file as White's - both sides get real winning chances down their own file. 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.

Sign in to read every move's note and train this line — 12 more moves in this line, 16 in all.