King's Indian Defense: Santasiere Variation position after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nf3 Bg7 4.b4. White: pawn on b4, pawn on c4, pawn on d4, knight on f3, pawn on a2, pawn on e2, pawn on f2, pawn on g2, pawn on h2, rook on a1, knight on b1, bishop on c1, queen on d1, king on e1, bishop on f1, rook on h1. Black: rook on a8, knight on b8, bishop on c8, queen on d8, king on e8, rook on h8, pawn on a7, pawn on b7, pawn on c7, pawn on d7, pawn on e7, pawn on f7, bishop on g7, pawn on h7, knight on f6, pawn on g6.
King's Indian Defense: Santasiere Variation is a chess opening that arises after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nf3 Bg7 4.b4. It is classified E60 in the ECO system, and the position after these moves has black to move. The King's Indian Defense lets White build a large pawn centre unopposed, then attacks it from a fianchettoed setup. Black deliberately concedes space in the opening in order to strike back with e5 or c5 and generate a kingside attack that is often decisive.
Strategic character
The classic King's Indian is a race: White plays on the queenside where the space advantage is, Black pushes pawns at the white king on the other wing. Because both attacks proceed independently, the games are unusually sharp and rarely end in draws.
Who should play it
Attacking players who want unbalanced positions with Black and are willing to accept worse positions objectively for practical winning chances.
This line is a variation within the King's Indian Defense family. The strategic ideas above describe the family as a whole; this particular line reaches them by the move order 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nf3 Bg7 4.b4.
Frequently asked questions
What is the King's Indian Defense: Santasiere Variation?
The King's Indian Defense: Santasiere Variation is a chess opening that arises after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nf3 Bg7 4.b4. It is classified E60 in the ECO system. The King's Indian Defense lets White build a large pawn centre unopposed, then attacks it from a fianchettoed setup. Black deliberately concedes space in the opening in order to strike back with e5 or c5 and generate a kingside attack that is often decisive.
What are the moves of the King's Indian Defense: Santasiere Variation?
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nf3 Bg7 4.b4. After these moves it is black to move.
Is the King's Indian Defense: Santasiere Variation good for beginners?
Attacking players who want unbalanced positions with Black and are willing to accept worse positions objectively for practical winning chances.