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

Sämisch variation Sämisch variation E81-E89 6. Be3 White defends the d4 pawn, which is usually the weakest in the Sämisch formation. Black now has a variety of options - usually they want to strike in the centre with /6...e5/ or even the gambit line /6...c5/. The latter, although it gives up a pawn, gives Black a lead in development with plenty of open lines and White's extra pawn is doubled, limiting its usefulness. In practice, Black scores very well in the gambit line and it is partially due to it that the Sämisch is not quite as popular as it once was. Theory table Sämisch Gambit 6...c5 Panno Variation 6...Nc6 Orthodox Variation 6...e5 Double Fianchetto Var. 6...b6 References King's Indian Defence