ECO E62 · King's Indian Defense

King's Indian Defense: Fianchetto Variation, Simagin Variation

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. Nf3 d6 5. g3 O-O 6. Bg2 Nc6 7. O-O Bg4

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White to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

8. d5+0.81

White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the King's Indian Defense: Fianchetto Variation, Simagin Variation (E62), reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. Nf3 d6 5. g3 O-O 6. Bg2 Nc6 7. O-O Bg4, Stockfish 18 recommends 8. d5 for White. White is clearly better (+0.81).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.818. d5 Nb4 9. h3 Bxf3 10. exf3 c6 11. f4 cxd5 12. cxd5 Nd7
  2. +0.558. b3 e5 9. d5 Nd4 10. Nxd4 exd4 11. Qxd4 Nxd5 12. Qxg4 Nxc3
  3. +0.488. Ne1 Qd7 9. Nc2 Na5 10. b3 Bh3 11. e4 Bxg2 12. Kxg2 a6

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the King's Indian Defense: Fianchetto Variation, Simagin Variation?
After 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. Nf3 d6 5. g3 O-O 6. Bg2 Nc6 7. O-O Bg4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 8. d5 for White, continuing Nb4 9. h3 Bxf3 10. exf3 c6 11. f4 cxd5 12. cxd5 Nd7. White is clearly better (+0.81). The next best moves are 8. b3 (+0.55) and 8. Ne1 (+0.48).
Is the King's Indian Defense: Fianchetto Variation, Simagin Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.81: White is clearly better. That is a large edge for an opening position, so check the engine lines before playing it from the other side.
What is the ECO code of the King's Indian Defense: Fianchetto Variation, Simagin Variation?
E62. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; E is the volume for indian defenses.

Opening names from the Lichess opening book (CC0). Pieces by Colin M.L. Burnett (GPLv2+).