King's Indian Defense: Averbakh Variation

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Be2 O-O 6.Bg5

ECO E73

The King's Indian Defense: Averbakh Variation is a chess opening line in the King's Indian Defense complex, reached after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Be2 O-O 6.Bg5.

It is catalogued under code E73 in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings (ECO).

The defining move Bg5 is chosen by White on move 6.

7 named continuations branch from this position, including the Flexible Defense and the Geller Defense.

The King's Indian Defense: Averbakh Variation is a line of the King's Indian Defense. The King's Indian Defense is a chess opening that begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6, with Black fianchettoing the bishop to g7 and castling before challenging the center with ...e5 or ...c5. Read the complete King's Indian Defense guide: what it is, how to reach it, its main variations, how to play against it, and its history.

Named variations

• King's Indian Defense: Averbakh Variation, Flexible Defense — ECO E73
• King's Indian Defense: Averbakh Variation, Geller Defense — ECO E73
• King's Indian Defense: Averbakh Variation, Modern Defense — ECO E73
• King's Indian Defense: Averbakh Variation, Nc6 Defense — ECO E73
• King's Indian Defense: Averbakh Variation, Spanish Defense — ECO E73
• King's Indian Defense: Averbakh Variation, Benoni Defense — ECO E74
• King's Indian Defense: Averbakh Variation, Main Line — ECO E75

Study this line with a grandmaster

This position is covered in the King's Indian Defense with ...c5 course: a GM-authored repertoire you study move by move, then practice against a human-like AI opponent.

Every chess term used here is defined in the chess terms glossary. Browse all opening courses or the full ECO code index.