Caissa Codex
A05

King's Indian Attack: Smyslov Variation

Chess diagram: King's Indian Attack: Smyslov Variation after 3. b4

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Statistics from Lichess

27,585 games: White 53.9% / Draw 7.1% / Black 39.0%

The moves played next. Pick one to see it on the board.
Next moveGamesWhite / Draw / BlackW / D / B
25,55026K
546546
344344
314314
251251
169169
151151
144144

Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Nov 1, 2026

Engine evaluation

−0.07 The position is about equal

Best play: 3... Bg7 4. Bb2 d5 5. d3 O-O 6. Nbd2 a5 7. a3 Qd6 8. Bg2

Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.

Overview

King's Indian Attack: Smyslov Variation (ECO A05, Flank Openings) is a variation of the King's Indian Attack: Symmetrical Defense, reached after 1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 g6 3. b4 (3 moves).

In 27,585 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 53.9%, Black 39.0% and 7.1% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 3…Bg7, in 93% of those games.

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Other lines from the same position

Instead of 3. b4, the position after King's Indian Attack: Symmetrical Defense also goes on to:

Cite this page

Caissa Codex. “King's Indian Attack: Smyslov Variation (A05)”. Lichess data as of 1 Nov 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/kings-indian-attack-smyslov-variation

https://chesscodex.org/openings/kings-indian-attack-smyslov-variation