Theoria
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King's Indian Defense

Kramer Variation

E70offbeatpositional

  1. 1.d4Nf6
  2. 2.c4g6
  3. 3.Nc3Bg7
  4. 4.e4d6
  5. 5.Nge2
1,713 games53%43%

A flexible King's Indian Defense line in which White develops the king's knight to e2, heading for g3 while keeping the Sämisch-style option of f3.

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About the Kramer Variation

The Kramer Variation develops the g1-knight to e2 rather than f3, leaving the f-pawn free. The knight can continue to g3 to support e4 and eye the kingside, while f3 remains available to turn the game into a Sämisch-type setup. Black nearly always answers 5...O-O, and ...Nbd7 and ...Nc6 are rare alternatives. It is an uncommon sideline, with engines finding White's edge only marginal and White scoring slightly better in online games.

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