King's Indian Defence, Sämisch Variation
The Sämisch Variation of the King's Indian Defence is a chess opening that begins with the moves: 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3 The Sämisch is a subtle blockading system and a critical challenge to the King's Indian. It is named after the German grandmaster Friedrich Sämisch. The Sämisch has been played by numerous grandmasters, including world champions Mikhail Botvinnik, Mikhail Tal, Tigran Petrosian, Boris Spassky, Anatoly Karpov, and Garry Kasparov. Bobby Fischer had trouble against the Sämisch. Mednis' How to Beat Bobby Fischer showed that five of Fischer's losses were against the Sämisch King's Indian, and remarked that Fischer eventually avoided the King's Indian if he believed he would face the Sämisch; however, Fischer faced the Sämisch five times against Spassky in their 1992 rematch—winning two, drawing two, and losing one. In the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings, the Sämisch Variation is covered in chapters E80 to E89. Strategic ideas By playing 5.f3, White postpones the of the pieces in order to solidify the . The pawn on f3 also prevents Black from using the g4-square, while potentially setting up g4–g5 or h4 and kingside play for White. Compared to the classical