King's Indian Defense: Accelerated Averbakh Variation

Before the first move

The King's Indian Defense is a hypermodern battleground where Black allows White to build a massive pawn center, only to strike back later. In the Accelerated Averbakh, White develops the bishop to g5 early to pin the f6-knight and disrupt your typical setup. It is a sharp, strategic duel for control of the dark squares.

1. d4White

White starts with d4, a solid and ambitious choice that dictates the pace of the game. By occupying the center, White invites you into various responses. You could play d5 for a Queen's Gambit or e6 for a Horwitz Defense, but today we focus on the flexible Indian systems.

1... Nf6Black · your move

Develop your knight to f6. This is a classic hypermodern response, preventing White from playing e4 immediately and keeping your options open. You are preparing to influence the center with pieces rather than pawns while getting ready for a kingside fianchetto.

Other paths here: Na6 (Australian Defense) · g5 (Borg Defense: Borg Gambit) · b6 (English Defense) · e5 (Englund Gambit)

2. c4White

White plays c4, doubling down on central control and preparing a massive pawn front. This is much more common than the Canard Opening with f4 or the Tartakower Attack with g3. White is signaling a desire to play into main-line theory, challenging you to find a counter.

Other paths here: f4 (Canard Opening) · g4 (Indian Defense: Gibbins-Weidenhagen Gambit) · e4 (Indian Defense: Omega Gambit) · d5 (Indian Defense: Pawn Push Variation)

2... g6Black · your move

Push your pawn to g6. You are preparing to fianchetto your bishop to g7, where it will exert long-range pressure along the h8-a1 diagonal. This is the defining move of the King's Indian and Grunfeld families, prioritizing a safe home for your king and a powerful attacking piece.

Other paths here: g5 (Indian Defense: Medusa Gambit) · b5 (Indian Defense: Pyrenees Gambit) · a6 (Indian: 2.c4 a6) · Nc6 (Mexican Defense)

3. Nc3White

White plays Nc3, the most principled development. By developing the knight here, White prepares the e4 push. Other options like the Fianchetto Variation with g3 or the immediate 3.Bg5 are possible, but this knight move is the most direct path to a dominant center.

Other paths here: d5 (Indian Defense: Anti-Grünfeld, Advance Variation) · f3 (Indian Defense: Anti-Grünfeld, Alekhine Variation) · h4 (Indian Defense: Anti-Grünfeld, Basman-Williams Attack) · g3 (King's Indian Defense: Fianchetto Variation, Immediate Fianchetto)

3... Bg7Black · your move

Bring your bishop to g7. Your fianchetto is complete, and your bishop now breathes fire down the long diagonal. This piece will be your primary defender and your strongest attacker, often staying on this square for the entire game to monitor the center.

Other paths here: d5 (Grünfeld Defense) · c5 (King's Indian: 3.Nc3 c5) · c6 (King's Indian: 3.Nc3 c6) · d6 (King's Indian: 3.Nc3 d6)

4. e4White

White plays e4, completing the ideal pawn center. This is the main line of the King's Indian. While White could try the Saemisch with f3 or the Makogonov with h3 later, this direct approach challenges you to react immediately to the space disadvantage.

Other paths here: Bf4 (King's Indian: 4.Bf4) · Bg5 (King's Indian: 4.Bg5) · g3 (King's Indian: 4.g3) · Nf3 (King's Indian: 4.Nf3)

4... d6Black · your move

Move your pawn to d6. This is a vital prophylactic move that stops White from pushing e5 and cramping your position further. It also prepares to support your own central strikes with e5 or c5 later, while opening a path for your light-squared bishop.

Other paths here: O-O (King's Indian: 4.e4 O-O)

5. Bg5White

White plays Bg5, the signature move of the Averbakh System. Instead of the standard Be2 or the Kramer Variation with Nge2, White chooses to pin your knight immediately. You'll often respond with h6 to ask the bishop its intentions, leading to a complex strategic struggle.

Other paths here: Nge2 (King's Indian Defense: Kramer Variation) · Bd3 (King's Indian: 4.e4 d6 5.Bd3) · h3 (King's Indian Defense: Makogonov Variation) · g3 (King's Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Deferred Fianchetto)

Where you stand

The position is tense and rich with ideas. White aims to use the pin on f6 and the massive center to stifle Black's counterplay. Black's plan involves breaking the pin with h6 and then striking the center with e5 or c5. Both sides must balance their aggression with careful piece coordination in this high-stakes battle for the center.

• h7-h6 Kick the bishop to resolve the pin
• b8-c6 Pressure d4 and prepare central counterplay
• g1-f3 Standard development to support the center
• f1-e2 Prepare kingside castling and reinforce d3
• d4-d5 Gain more space and lock the center