E61 · Indian · a defense for Black

King's Indian Defense: Smyslov Variation

9/9
1.d4Nf62.c4g63.Nc3Bg74.Nf3d65.Bg5
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
King's Indian Defense: Smyslov Variation1.4M games · Black to move
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
70%980k50%
9.4%131k49%
8.8%123k51%
3.7%52k47%
3.1%43k52%
1.9%27k48%
0.8%11k49%
0.7%10k46%
0.5%7.6k48%
0.5%6.4k48%
Famous games in this line1.1k master games
Dubov, Daniil (2710)Rapport, R. (2731)2023½–½Svidler, P. (2756)Solak, D. (2641)2017½–½Moiseenko, Alexander (2662)Radjabov, Teimour (2717)2006½–½Jussupow, Artur (2630)Ivanchuk, Vassily (2740)1998½–½Matlakov, M. (2671)Demchenko, A. (2653)20221–0Moiseenko, Alexander (2646)Cheparinov, Ivan (2670)2007½–½Kazhgaleyev, Murtas (2602)Radjabov, Teimour (2704)20050–1Agrest, Evgenij (2557)Morozevich, Alexander (2747)20060–1
Heroes of this opening Matlakov, M. · Radjabov, Teimour · Morozevich, Alexander
Category
Indian
First move
1.d4
ECO
E61
Line
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. Nf3 d6 5. Bg5
FianchettoSharpHypermodern
Read the guide: King's Indian DefenseExplore all 119 King's Indian Defense lines
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From the archives

For decades the King's Indian was considered suspect — until Bronstein, Fischer and Kasparov showed the plan: let White build the big center, lock it, and throw every kingside pawn at the enemy king. Some of the most violent attacking games ever played (Kasparov's ...g3 sacrifices) come from this defense.

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