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.

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.