King's Indian Defense: Averbakh Variation, Benoni Defense

Before the first move

The Averbakh Variation is a sophisticated way for White to meet the King's Indian Defense. By delaying the development of the kingside knight and placing the bishop on g5, White creates a restrictive pin on your f6-knight. You will fight back by challenging the center immediately with the c5 pawn break.

1. d4White

White opens with d4, the most common way to start a positional battle. This move controls the center and prepares to develop the queenside. You have many ways to respond, including the solid d5 or the more flexible Nf6.

1... Nf6Black · your move

Develop your knight to f6. This flexible move prevents White from immediately playing e4 and keeps your options open for several different defensive setups.

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

2. c4White

White plays c4, the standard follow-up to d4. This creates a powerful central duo. White could also try the Trompowsky with Bg5 or the London System with Bf4, but c4 is the most ambitious try for an advantage.

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 on g7, which is the hallmark of the King's Indian and Grunfeld defenses.

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, putting more pressure on the d5-square. You will now have to choose between the King's Indian with Bg7 or the Grunfeld Defense with d5, which leads to more immediate tactical complications.

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

Fianchetto your bishop to g7. From this long diagonal, your bishop will exert tremendous pressure on the center and the queenside for the rest of the game.

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, seizing the center. This is the main line of the King's Indian. You must now decide how to challenge this structure, usually by playing d6 to stop e5 and prepare your own central breaks.

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 essential move stops White from pushing e5, which would kick your knight, and it prepares to develop your other pieces.

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

5. Be2White

White chooses Be2, heading toward the Averbakh or Classical systems. This is more flexible than the aggressive Four Pawns Attack with f4 or the Makogonov Variation with h3, which tries to prevent your kingside expansion.

Other paths here: Bg5 (King's Indian Defense: Accelerated Averbakh Variation) · Nge2 (King's Indian Defense: Kramer Variation) · Bd3 (King's Indian: 4.e4 d6 5.Bd3) · h3 (King's Indian Defense: Makogonov Variation)

5... O-OBlack · your move

Castle your king to safety. By tucking the king away, you complete your initial development and prepare to launch a counterstrike against White's center.

Other paths here: c5 (King's Indian: 5.Be2 c5) · e5 (King's Indian: 5.Be2 e5) · Nbd7 (King's Indian: 5.Be2 Nbd7)

6. Bg5White

White plays Bg5, the defining move of the Averbakh Variation. By pinning the knight, White discourages you from playing e5. You can respond with the flexible h6, the Geller Defense with Nbd7, or the sharp c5.

Other paths here: Be3 (King's Indian Defense: Semi-Averbakh System) · g4 (King's Indian: 5.Be2 O-O 6.g4) · f4 (King's Indian Defense: Four Pawns Attack)

6... c5Black · your move

Strike at the center with c5. This move ignores the pin and challenges White's d4-pawn immediately, often leading to a Benoni-style pawn structure.

Other paths here: h6 (King's Indian Defense: Averbakh Variation, Flexible Defense) · Nbd7 (King's Indian Defense: Averbakh Variation, Geller Defense) · Na6 (King's Indian Defense: Averbakh Variation, Modern Defense) · Nc6 (King's Indian Defense: Averbakh Variation, Nc6 Defense)

Where you stand

The game has transitioned into a Benoni-style structure where White has more space, but Black has a very active dark-squared bishop. White will likely push d5 and look to expand on the queenside, while Black will seek counterplay with e6 and b5. Both sides must be careful, as the position is strategically rich and tactically sharp.

• d4-d5 White pushes d5 to gain space
• g1-f3 Develop the knight to support d4
• e7-e6 Black challenges the d5 pawn
• b7-b5 Black prepares queenside counterplay