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E80Play as White2 lines to train

Learn the King's Indian Sämisch

A space-heavy King’s Indian setup where f3 supports e4 and delays kingside commitment. White aims to stabilize the center and choose between queenside expansion and a kingside pawn storm.

Practice this openingUnderstand the moves
Main line

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3 O-O 6. Be3

1.d41…Nf62.c42…g63.Nc33…Bg74.e44…d65.f35…O-O6.Be3

The idea

Why this opening works

The King's Indian Sämisch gives White a clear route to stabilize the center and choose between queenside expansion and a kingside pawn storm. Its recurring positions revolve around the f3 support pawn, center closure, and opposite-wing plans, so the repertoire rewards understanding the structure as much as remembering the move order.

What to remember

  • Know the first 8 half-moves of the main line.
  • Understand the purpose of your key moves before adding more theory.
  • Practice the branches until you can respond without move-order guessing.

Move by move

The moves worth understanding

Theory sticks when every move has a job. Start with these ideas from the trainer.

Scroll down through 7 positions

  1. Position 1 of 7

    1.d4

    d2 → d4

    d4 begins the King's Indian Sämisch plan: stabilize the center and choose between queenside expansion and a kingside pawn storm.

  2. Position 2 of 7

    2.c4

    c2 → c4

    c4 changes the queenside structure and supports the opening’s main counterplay.

  3. Position 3 of 7

    3.Nc3

    b1 → c3

    Nc3 develops or reroutes the knight toward the central squares that drive this opening.

  4. Position 4 of 7

    4.e4

    e2 → e4

    e4 reinforces the center and prepares the next piece-development or pawn-break decision.

  5. Position 5 of 7

    5.f3

    f2 → f3

    f3 gains kingside space and prepares the pawn lever that gives this setup its attacking potential.

  6. Position 6 of 7

    6.Be3

    c1 → e3

    Be3 activates the bishop on a diagonal that supports the opening’s central and kingside ideas.

  7. Position 7 of 7

    6.d5

    d4 → d5

    d5 reinforces the center and prepares the next piece-development or pawn-break decision.

Trainer variations

Lines you’ll meet

These are representative branches from the drill, not a demand to memorize everything at once.

Line 11. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3 O-O 6. Be3
Line 21. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3 c5 6. d5 e6 7. Be3

Quick answers

King's Indian Sämisch questions

What is the King's Indian Sämisch?

A space-heavy King’s Indian setup where f3 supports e4 and delays kingside commitment. White aims to stabilize the center and choose between queenside expansion and a kingside pawn storm. The King's Indian Sämisch gives White a clear route to stabilize the center and choose between queenside expansion and a kingside pawn storm. Its recurring positions revolve around the f3 support pawn, center closure, and opposite-wing plans, so the repertoire rewards understanding the structure as much as remembering the move order.

What is the main line of the King's Indian Sämisch?

This trainer starts with 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3 O-O 6. Be3. The exact move order can change by variation, so learn the purpose of each move as well as the sequence.

Is the King's Indian Sämisch good to learn as White?

It can be a useful part of a White repertoire if its positions match how you like to play. Learn the main plan first, then use the drill to test the recurring replies.

Study next

D06Queen's GambitWhite offers a pawn to gain central control. A cornerstone of 1.d4 play.1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e3 O-O 6. Nf3 Nbd7 7. Bd3D00London SystemA flexible system for White. Easy to learn, hard to refute.1. d4 d5 2. Bf4 Nf6 3. e3 e6 4. Nf3 c5 5. c3 Nc6 6. Nbd2 Bd6 7. Bg3 O-O 8. Bd3E60King's Indian DefenseHypermodern defense letting White build a center, then counterattacking.1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 e5 7. O-O Nc6 8. d5 Ne7 9. b4

Turn the guide into recall

Now play the King's Indian Sämisch from memory.

The drill gives you an opponent reply, checks your response, and repeats the branches that need more work.

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