Tree path 7 levels Indian Defense: West Indian Defense › King's Indian Defense › Normal Variation › King's Indian Defense: Normal Variation › King's Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation › Normal Defense › King's Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Byrne Defense
- Chess Codex
- Indian Defense: West Indian Defense E60
- King's Indian Defense E61
- Normal Variation E70
- King's Indian Defense: Normal Variation E70
- King's Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation E80
- Normal Defense E81
- King's Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Byrne Defense E81 you are here
King's Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Byrne Defense
Overview
King's Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Byrne Defense is a specific line in the Indian Defenses family (ECO E81), arising from a recognised theoretical position.
The Indian Defenses group covers Indian defences — hypermodern lines where Black challenges the centre with pieces rather than pawns.
It is reached after 14 plies of play, with the move sequence 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3 O-O 6. Be3 c6 7. Bd3 a6.
The line refines King's Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Normal Defense, which traces back to the root opening Indian Defense: West Indian Defense.
Explore the position on the interactive board, study its real-world results from Lichess, and challenge the engine when you are ready.
- ECO code
- E81
- Group
- Indian Defenses (E)
- Plies
- 14
This overview is generated automatically from the opening's metadata. Know this line well? Write a description — submissions are reviewed before publishing.
Statistics from Lichess
24,100 games · White 49.3% / Draw 5.4% / Black 45.2%
| Moves | Games | W / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| Nge2 | 17,146 | |
| a4 | 3,723 | |
| Qd2 | 2,516 | |
| Qc2 | 103 | |
| a3 | 88 | |
| Rc1 | 82 | |
| g4 | 79 | |
| c5 | 71 |
Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 03:02:46
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