King's Indian Defense: Averbakh Variation, Main Line

Before the first move

The Averbakh Variation of the King's Indian Defense is a sophisticated attempt by White to clamp down on Black's usual kingside counterplay. By placing a bishop on g5, White pins the f6-knight and discourages the typical e5 break, forcing you to find alternative ways to challenge the center and create dynamic tension.

1. d4White

White starts with d4, a classical choice that controls the center and prepares for a solid development. You will often see e4 as the main alternative, leading to more open and tactical struggles right from the first move.

1... Nf6Black · your move

Develop your knight to f6. This flexible move prevents White from immediately occupying the center with e4 and keeps your options open for several different defensive setups against the queen's pawn.

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

2. c4White

White plays c4, expanding on the queenside and preparing a massive center. White could also try the London System with Bf4 or the Trompowsky Attack with Bg5, but c4 remains the most principled and challenging continuation.

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, which is the defining characteristic of the King's Indian and Grunfeld defenses. This bishop will become a powerful long-range attacker.

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, developing a piece and preparing e4. At this point, White could also choose g3 for a Fianchetto Variation or even the aggressive Bg5, but the knight move is the standard main-line approach.

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. This piece is the pride of your position, exerting pressure along the h8-a1 diagonal. It will defend your king and eventually support a central break like e5 or c5.

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, establishing the broad center that defines the King's Indian. White could also delay this with Nf3 or g3, but taking the full center immediately is the most direct way to test your setup.

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 to kick your knight. It also prepares for your own central strikes and opens a path for your light-squared bishop.

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

5. Be2White

White plays Be2, heading toward the Classical Variation. Alternatives like the aggressive Four Pawns Attack with f4 or the Saemisch Variation with f3 lead to much more violent and sharp tactical positions.

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. Your king is now tucked away behind a wall of pawns and your powerful bishop. This completes your initial kingside development and readies your rooks for the upcoming central battle.

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 signature move of the Averbakh. This pin is annoying and forces you to rethink your usual plans. White could have played Nf3 to stay in Classical lines or Be3 for a Semi-Averbakh setup.

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

Push your pawn to c5. Since the e5 break is difficult due to the pin, you strike at the d4-pawn from the side. This Benoni-style counterattack is the most energetic way to challenge White's central control.

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)

7. d5White

White pushes d5, accepting the challenge and closing the center. The alternative is to capture on c5, the Exchange Variation, which leads to a much more symmetrical and less ambitious position for White.

Other paths here: dxc5 (King's Indian Defense: Averbakh Variation, Benoni Defense, Exchange Variation)

7... e6Black · your move

Strike at the center with e6. You are immediately challenging White's advanced d5-pawn. This move opens lines for your queen and creates tension that White must address, preventing them from simply consolidating their space advantage.

Other paths here: a6 (King's Indian: Averbakh, 6...c5 7.d5 a6) · b5 (King's Indian: Averbakh, 6...c5 7.d5 b5) · h6 (King's Indian: Averbakh, 6...c5 7.d5 h6) · Qa5 (King's Indian: Averbakh, 6...c5 7.d5 Qa5)

Where you stand

The position has transformed into a dynamic Benoni structure. White enjoys a space advantage and a pesky pin on g5, while Black has successfully created central tension. White will likely finish development and castle, while Black aims to undermine d5 and use the semi-open e-file for counterplay.

• g1-g1 Develop knight to f3 and castle
• d1-d2 Connect rooks and support the center
• c8-e6 Develop bishop to challenge the center
• b8-d4 Maneuver knight to the central outpost