Chess Codex
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, Orthodox Variation
  1. Chess Codex
  2. Indian Defense: West Indian Defense E60
  3. King's Indian Defense E61
  4. Normal Variation E70
  5. King's Indian Defense: Normal Variation E70
  6. King's Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation E80
  7. Normal Defense E81
  8. King's Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Orthodox Variation E85 you are here
E85

King's Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Orthodox Variation

Open in Lichess
Share: X Reddit Telegram Facebook
Play from here → Click pieces to play, or use ← / → arrows.

Overview

King's Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Orthodox Variation is a specific line in the Indian Defenses family (ECO E85), 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.

The line arises from 12 plies — specifically the moves 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3 O-O 6. Be3 e5.

The line refines King's Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Normal Defense, which traces back to the root opening Indian Defense: West Indian Defense.

The line splits into 2 documented sub-systems: King's Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, King's Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Closed Variation.

Together the deeper variations number 6 across the full subtree.

Explore the position on the interactive board, study its real-world results from Lichess, and challenge the engine when you are ready.

ECO code
E85
Group
Indian Defenses (E)
Plies
12
Parent
King's Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Normal Defense
Direct variations
2
Total in subtree
6

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

512,498 games · White 51.5% / Draw 5.5% / Black 43.0%

MovesGamesW / D / B
d5309,505
Nge2147,156
Qd223,138
dxe516,668
Bd314,543
Be2540
Qd3195
h4153

Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 02:45:29

Write a description

Markdown supported (headings ###, bold, lists, links). Submissions are reviewed before publishing.

Variations (2)

Related variations at the same level

Sister lines that share the same parent King's Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Normal Defense:

Show all 6 sub-variations (full subtree)

https://chesscodex.org/openings/kings-indian-defense-samisch-variation-orthodox-variation