Theoria
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English Opening

Symmetrical Variation, Anti-Benoni Variation, Geller Variation

A33positionaloffbeat

  1. 1.c4e6
  2. 2.Nf3Nf6
  3. 3.Nc3c5
  4. 4.d4Nc6
  5. 5.g3cxd4
  6. 6.Nxd4Qb6
106 games40%51%

An English Opening line in which Black answers the recapture on d4 with 6...Qb6, hitting the centralized knight before White's kingside fianchetto is done.

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About the Geller Variation

The Geller Variation arises after 5...cxd4 6. Nxd4, when Black brings the queen to b6 at once. From there it attacks the knight on d4 and eyes b2 before White has completed the kingside fianchetto. The most common reply is the retreat 7. Nb3. The engine's preferred 7. Ndb5 and the more modest 7. Nc2 are the main alternatives. The engine rates the position as balanced, while Black has scored well in a small online sample.

Popular continuations