Sicilian O'Kelly Variation, Maróczy Bind, Geller Line

Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation

Definition

The O’Kelly Variation is a branch of the Sicilian Defense that begins 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 a6 !? Instead of the customary 2…d6, 2…Nc6, or 2…e6, Black plays an early pawn to a6. The move is classified under ECO codes B28–B29.

Purpose & Strategic Ideas

• Flexible set-up. By refraining from an immediate commitment in the center, Black can later choose between Scheveningen (…e6 & …d6), Paulsen (…e6 & …Nc6), or even Hedgehog-style formations.
• Sidestep preparation. After 2…a6 White must decide on an independent plan as many Open-Sicilian main lines are no longer reachable verbatim.
• Prophylaxis against Bb5(+). The pawn on a6 prevents an annoying pin or check on b5 that often appears in Najdorf and Classical Sicilians.
• Idea of …d5. In many lines Black quickly strikes in the center with …d5 before White can erect a Maróczy-style clamp.

Typical Move Orders

1. Main Open Version
   3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 leads to dynamic positions in which Black immediately hits the d4-knight.
2. Anti-Sicilian Fade
   3. c3 d5! – O’Kelly’s point: Black equalises in one stroke because 4. exd5 Qxd5 is comfortable.
3. Quiet Development
   3. g3 Nf6 4. Bg2 d6 transposes to a Closed-Sicilian structure with the useful extra move …a6.

Historical Notes

The line is named after Belgian grandmaster and correspondence world champion Albéric O’Kelly de Galway (1911-1980), who introduced it into top-level praxis in the 1950s. He used the system extensively in the 1958 Interzonal, scoring a solid 4½⁄7 with the variation.

Illustrative Mini-Game

O’Kelly – Larsen, Havana 1962, showed the variation’s resilience: Black equalised comfortably and later won in 41 moves.

Anecdote

When asked why he trusted such an “odd looking pawn move,” O’Kelly quipped, “If a6 is good on move 5 in the Najdorf, it cannot be bad on move 2 when my opponent has fewer pieces out!”

Maróczy Bind

Definition

The Maróczy Bind is not an opening per se but a pawn formation characterised by White pawns on c4 and e4 against a Black pawn on c5. The bind most commonly arises from the Sicilian Defense, Accelerated Dragon: 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6 5. c4.

Strategic Essence

• Clamp on d5. The pawns on c4 and e4 make the … d5 break very hard to achieve, depriving Black of the thematic freeing move in many Sicilian structures.
• Space advantage. White enjoys spatial superiority on the queenside and center, allowing easy piece manoeuvres and centralisation.
• Long-term, positional. Winning chances often stem from slow pressure rather than immediate tactics; Black looks for counterplay with …b5, …f5, or piece activity on dark squares.

Typical Openings Leading to the Bind

• Sicilian Accelerated Dragon – main source.
• Hedgehog Structures – after a Najdorf or Taimanov transposition where Black delays …d6.
• English Opening lines (1. c4; 2. Nc3; 3. e4) in reverse colours, giving Black the bind with an extra tempo.

Classic Game Reference

Fischer – Taimanov, Candidates 1971, Game 1, featured a textbook Maróczy Bind. Fischer squeezed for 40 moves, then won a pawn in the endgame and converted with model technique.

Sample Position to Visualise

White dominates the d5-square; Black’s …b5 break is still far away.

Historical Footnote

Named after Hungarian grandmaster Géza Maróczy (1870-1951), the formation appeared in his 1904 match versus Carl Schlechter. More than a century later it is still considered one of the most unpleasant clamps a Sicilian player can face.

Trivia

Garry Kasparov once remarked that the Maróczy Bind is like “playing with an anaconda; the squeeze is slow but you eventually run out of air.”

Geller Line (King’s Indian Defense)

Definition

The Geller Line (also called the Geller System) is a variation of the Classical King’s Indian Defense beginning with 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 e5 7. O-O exd4 8. Nxd4 Re8 9. f3. It is named after the great Soviet tactician and theoretician Efim Geller (1925-1998).

Main Ideas for Each Side

• White
  • Reinforce the centre with f2-f3, preparing Be3, Be3-Qd2, or even g2-g4 expansions.
  • Maintain long-term central space and keep the option of e4-e5 or c4-c5 breaks.
• Black
  • Challenge the centre with …c6 & …d5 or the classical King’s-Indian pawn storm …f5.
  • Exploit the slightly weakened dark squares caused by f3.

Why It Is Played

Many players dislike allowing Black the typical KID onslaught with …e5–e4. By exchanging on d4 first, then reinforcing with f3, White permanently prevents the thematic …e4 push and keeps more control, turning the struggle into a positional battle.

Famous Encounters

• Geller – Fischer, Candidates 1962
  Geller out-prepared Fischer, won a pawn in the opening, and converted flawlessly, handing the American his first loss to the line.
• Karpov – Kasparov, World Championship 1985 (Game 9)
  Karpov adopted the Geller System but Kasparov’s dynamic pawn break …d5! equalised and the game was drawn after a tense struggle.

Model Line to Memorise

Anecdote

Efim Geller reportedly tested the idea at a training camp with the Soviet team and scored so well in blitz that future world champions Tal, Petrosian, and Spassky all added it to their repertoires within a year.