ECO E81 · King's Indian Defense

King's Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Byrne Defense

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3 O-O 6. Be3 c6 7. Bd3 a6

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

8. Rc1+0.44

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the King's Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Byrne Defense (E81), reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3 O-O 6. Be3 c6 7. Bd3 a6, Stockfish 18 recommends 8. Rc1 for White. White is slightly better (+0.44).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.448. Rc1 b5 9. e5 Nfd7 10. f4 bxc4 11. Bxc4 Nb6 12. Bd3 a5
  2. +0.438. Nge2 b5 9. Qd2 bxc4 10. Bxc4 d5 11. Bb3 dxe4 12. fxe4 c5
  3. +0.438. Qd2 b5 9. Nge2 bxc4 10. Bxc4 d5 11. Bb3 dxe4 12. fxe4 c5

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the King's Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Byrne Defense?
After 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3 O-O 6. Be3 c6 7. Bd3 a6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 8. Rc1 for White, continuing b5 9. e5 Nfd7 10. f4 bxc4 11. Bxc4 Nb6 12. Bd3 a5. White is slightly better (+0.44). The next best moves are 8. Nge2 (+0.43) and 8. Qd2 (+0.43).
Is the King's Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Byrne Defense a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.44: white is slightly better. Evaluations this early in the game are small, so practical results depend far more on knowing the plans and typical structures than on the engine's number.
What is the ECO code of the King's Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Byrne Defense?
E81. 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+).