King's Indian Defense: Santasiere Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
13,907 games: White 46.4% / Draw 6.1% / Black 47.5%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 7,5037,503 | ||
| 3,4863,486 | ||
| 1,3741,374 | ||
| 873873 | ||
| 211211 | ||
| 200200 | ||
| 8181 | ||
| 6565 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Nov 1, 2026
Engine evaluation
−0.05 The position is about equal
Best play: 4... d6 5. e3 c5 6. a3 O-O 7. Be2 Nc6 8. d5 Nxd5 9. cxd5
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
King's Indian Defense: Santasiere Variation (ECO E60, Indian Defenses) is a variation of the Indian Defense: West Indian Defense, reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. b4 (4 moves).
In 13,907 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 46.4%, Black 47.5% and 6.1% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 4…O-O, in 54% of those games.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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How to play against the King's Indian Defense: Santasiere Variation
The most played answer, 4…O-O, also scores best for Black: 51.5%, with Black winning 48.3% and White 45.2% of 7,503 games. Of the main answers, 4…d5 scores lowest: 48.5%. Stockfish's first choice is 4…d6.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: Black's wins plus half the draws, in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500. How to play against other popular openings
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “King's Indian Defense: Santasiere Variation (E60)”. Lichess data as of 1 Nov 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/kings-indian-defense-santasiere-variation