Kings Indian Defense: Averbakh-Geller Variation
King’s Indian Defense
Definition
The King’s Indian Defense (often abbreviated “KID”) is a hyper-modern opening that arises after the moves 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6. Black allows White to occupy the centre with pawns, planning to undermine that centre later with pawn breaks …e5 or …c5 and vigorous piece play. The opening belongs to ECO codes E60–E99.
Typical Plans & Ideas
- For Black: Attack the centre with …e5, …c5, or …f5; create kingside pressure with …f5–f4, sacrifice pieces on g4/h3, and launch a mating attack.
- For White: Exploit space advantage, push d5 to cramp Black, or open the queenside with c5 or b4–b5 before Black’s attack lands.
Strategic & Historical Significance
Although analysed in the 19th century, the KID became fashionable in the 1940s–50s when Soviet stars such as David Bronstein and Isaac Boleslavsky showed it could hold its own against 1.d4. Later, Bobby Fischer, Garry Kasparov, and Teimour Radjabov made it a feared fighting weapon at the highest level. Its uncompromising nature guarantees rich middlegames and decisive results.
Illustrative Mini-Line
Main line (Classical): 5.Nf3 O-O 6.Be2 e5 7.O-O Nc6 8.d5 Ne7 9.Ne1 Nd7 followed by …f5. Black plays for a kingside onslaught while White seeks queenside chances with c5 or b4–b5.
Interesting Facts
- The opening has produced some of the most famous attacking games ever, including Kasparov–Topalov, Wijk aan Zee 1999, often called the “Immortal Kasparov.”
- Because the KID positions are so unbalanced, elite players either love it (Kasparov, Nakamura) or avoid it altogether (Carlsen rarely employs it with Black).
Averbakh Variation (King’s Indian Defense)
Definition
The Averbakh Variation begins after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Be2 O-O 6.Bg5. Named after Soviet grandmaster Yuri Averbakh, White pins the f6-knight, discouraging Black’s usual …e7–e5 break and aiming to dominate the light squares.
Key Ideas
- Positional pin: Bg5 reduces the flexibility of Black’s kingside and makes …e5 harder to arrange.
- Space clamp: White is ready for d4–d5 if Black plays …c5 or …e5 under the wrong conditions.
- Flexible set-ups: White may castle short or long, keep the queen on d2 or c2, and often aims for f4 or h4-h5 to support the pin.
Theory Snap-shot
After 6.Bg5, Black chooses among:
- 6…h6 7.Be3 e5 (Main line).
- 6…Na6 preparing …e5 or …c5.
- 6…c5 — the Geller Defense, discussed below.
Historical & Practical Notes
Averbakh introduced the line in the early 1950s, demonstrating that the pin could frustrate the typical KID pawn storm. It enjoyed a surge of popularity in the 1980s when Karpov used it as a low-risk weapon, and it remains a fashionable anti-KID system in modern engine practice.
Representative Game
Short–Kasparov, Tilburg 1991: Kasparov finally broke through, but only after a long manoeuvring battle that highlighted both sides’ strategic ideas.
Geller Defense (Averbakh Variation, King’s Indian)
Definition
The Geller Defense is Black’s dynamic reply 6…c5 in the Averbakh Variation: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Be2 O-O 6.Bg5 c5. Grandmaster Efim Geller unveiled the idea in the mid-1950s, striking the centre immediately instead of preparing …e5. ECO classifies the line as E73.
Strategic Rationale
- Immediate Counter-blow: …c5 challenges d4 before White consolidates. If White pushes 7.d5, the position transposes to a Benoni-like structure where Black’s dark-squared bishop and queenside play are potent.
- Piece Activity: By eschewing …e5 for the moment, Black keeps the f8-rook on a more open file and often employs …e6 later to hit d5 from two directions.
- Risk vs. Reward: The line is double-edged; Black accepts a backward d-pawn or IQP-type weaknesses in return for piece activity and time.
Main Continuations
- 7.d5 (most popular) …e6 8.Qd2 exd5 9.exd5 Re8 with Benoni themes.
- 7.Nf3 cxd4 8.Nxd4 Qa5 hitting g5 and e4.
- 7.dxc5 Qa5 8.Bd2 Qxc5 equalises material immediately but leaves Black nicely developed.
Historical Highlights
Geller, one of the greatest opening theoreticians, scored several sparkling wins with the setup, notably against Fridrik Olafsson, Moscow 1956. While not Black’s most common answer to 6.Bg5 today, the line enjoys periodic revivals whenever players want to sidestep reams of modern engine theory.
Sample Illustration
Black already has central pressure and open lines for the bishops and rooks, compensating for structural weaknesses.
Fun Anecdote
When Geller first played 6…c5, several Soviet colleagues dismissed it as “too reckless.” Yet Geller’s post-game analysis convinced none other than Mikhail Botvinnik to add it to his notebook. Botvinnik never played it in a tournament, but the stamp of approval guaranteed the line a permanent place in opening theory.