Theoria
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King's Indian Defense

Sämisch Variation, Byrne Defense

E81offbeatpositional

  1. 1.d4Nf6
  2. 2.c4g6
  3. 3.Nc3Bg7
  4. 4.e4d6
  5. 5.f3O-O
  6. 6.Be3c6
  7. 7.Bd3a6
249 games51%48%

A rare Sämisch King's Indian line in which Black plays ...c6 and ...a6 to prepare ...b5 queenside expansion instead of an immediate central break.

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About the Byrne Defense

The Byrne Defense arises when Black meets the Sämisch setup with 6...c6 and, after 7. Bd3, adds 7...a6. These moves prepare ...b5 to strike at the c4 pawn and open the queenside, rather than challenging the center at once with ...e5 or ...c5. White usually continues 8. Nge2. Engines also favor 8. a4, which restrains ...b5, and 8. Qd2, and they give White a slight edge. The line is rarely played, and practical results are close to even.

Popular continuations